Vegan Bolognese Sauce

 

Serves 4 

Ingredients: 

1 300 g packet of Beyond Mince (Beyond Meat)   

(you can substitute the mince for a can of lentils as a protein source)

4 TBS oil

1 carrot, chopped 

1 celery stock, chopped 

1/2 green pepper, chopped 

1/2 onion, chopped 

6 shiitake mushrooms, chopped 

1-2 cloves of garlic, chopped 

1 tsp dried Italian seasoning, or fresh herbs 

  such as Thyme, Oregano or Marjoram

1 - 2 tsp of steak seasoning

1 large jar (722 ml, 25 oz) of Tomato Sauce (Muir Glen, or your favorite sauce)

1 TBS fresh basil, chopped (garnish)

1 TBS fresh Italian parsley chopped (garnish)

4 TBS Vegan parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast

salt & pepper

1 package of noodles such as Orecchiette pasta, rigatoni, or fusilli

Directions: 

1. Heat a large sauce pan on Med Hi heat. Add 2 TBS olive oil. Add the chopped onions, carrots, celery, green peppers and mushrooms. Lightly salt & pepper. Stir till softened about 8 minutes. Set pot aside. 

2. Heat another non-stick frying pan on medium heat.  Add 2 TBS olive oil. Add the Beyond Mince and break into pieces with a wooden spoon, till fine.  Season with steak seasoning or salt & pepper. Cook about 8-10 minutes till browned. If you are omitting the mince, add a can of lentils after step 3. 

3. Add the cooked mince to the vegetables. Add the tomato sauce, 1/2 cup of water, Italian seasoning, or fresh thyme, oregano or marjoram. Bring to a boil, cover, and reduce to a simmer.  Cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. If sauce becomes too thick, add a little more water. If it does not seem thick enough, simmer with the cover off for a few minutes. 

4.  Cook pasta according to directions so it is still firm (al dente). 

5. Serve pasta in bowls and top with the sauce. Add the chopped basil and parsley on top. Sprinkle with vegan parmesan cheese. 

Alternative Meatball recipe: 

Instead of using the Beyond Meat mince, you can make the sauce first omitting the mince. Then after it has simmered, add a package of Gardein Vegan Meat balls (frozen), and simmer another 20 minutes till the meat balls are heated through as per package directions. Serve with spaghetti noodles, or linguine and sprinkle with Nutritional Yeast, or vegan parmesan cheese.