Vegan Bolognese Recipe

This plant-based pick is just as meaty as the original. This hearty dish uses meaty mushrooms and protein-rich lentils to beef up a completely plant-based dinner. Meat eaters won’t even realize it’s vegan!

Directions Steps

1. Heat oil in Dutch oven on medium. Add onion, season with 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper, and cook, covered, stirring occasionally, 4 minutes. Increase heat to medium-high, add mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until deep brown and beginning to stick, 8 to 10 minutes.
2. Reduce heat to medium, stir in garlic and crushed pepper, and cook 1 minute. Stir in tomato paste and cook, stirring until dark brown, 2 minutes. Stir in wine, scraping up any browned bits, then stir in lentils, tomatoes, 2 cups water, and bouillon. Bring to a boil, then simmer until lentils are tender, 30 to 35 minutes. Meanwhile, cook pasta per package directions. Serve bolognese over pasta, topped with parsley if desired.

Ingredients

• 3 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped 
• Kosher salt and pepper
• 8 oz. cremini mushrooms, trimmed and chopped in a food processor
• 2 large cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1/4 to 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper
• 3 tbsp. tomato paste
• 1/2 c. dry white wine 
• 1 c. red lentils
• 1 14.5-oz can crushed tomatoes
• 1 tbsp. mushroom bouillon base (we used Better Than Bouillon)
• 1 lb. pappardelle, linguine or fettuccine 
• Chopped parsley, for serving