Vegetarian bolognese
Prep
10 mins
Cook
1 hr
Servings
4
Difficulty
Medium
This vegetarian bolognese has become my go to weeknight dinner because it's genuinely foolproof and comes together in just over an hour. Using frozen vegetarian mince makes it so convenient and budget friendly, with no chopping meat required. I love how the soffritto of onions, carrots, and celery builds such a rich, savory base, and the passata creates that authentic bolognese depth without any fuss. Carrots are packed with beta carotene which is great for your eyes and immunity, so you're getting nutrition alongside pure comfort. A splash of milk at the end is my secret for mellowing everything out beautifully. Serve it over your favorite pasta with a generous handful of fresh basil and some grated cheese, and you've got a meal that feels like you spent all afternoon cooking.
Ella x
Ingredients
- 2 tbspolive oil or another cooking oil
- 1 mediumonion finely chopped
- 12 carrots very finely chopped
- 12 celery sticks very finely chopped
- 11 garlic clove crushed
- 350 gfrozen vegetarian mince
- 11 bay leaf
- 500 mlpassata
- 11 vegetable stock cube
- 100 mlmilk
- 1 smallbunch basil chopped
- 600 gcooked spaghetti or other pasta shape(about 250g dried)
- 1vegetarian hard cheese to serve(optional)
Detail level
Instructions
- 1
Heat the oil in a saucepan and gently fry the onion, carrots and celery until the onion is starting to soften. Stir in the garlic and the vegetarian mince (there’s no need to defrost it) and fry for a couple of mins. Add the bay leaf, passata, vegetable stock cube and 200ml water, then bring everything to the boil.
- 2
Turn down the heat and simmer for 30 mins or until all the pieces of veg are tender and disappearing into the tomato sauce. Add the milk, then cover with a lid and cook for 10 mins. Season to taste. If the sauce is a bit thin, keep bubbling until it thickens. Stir through the basil. Serve with the spaghetti and grate the cheese over the top, if you like. Can be frozen into portions and reheated.
Recipe Variations
Get AI-powered ingredient substitution suggestions.
You Might Also Like
Tropical Quinoa
This tropical quinoa bowl has become my go to weeknight dinner because it comes together in just forty minutes and tastes like a mini vacation on a plate. Quinoa is one of my favorite ingredients since it's a complete protein with all nine essential amino acids, making it so satisfying and perfect for keeping energy levels steady. The combination of papaya, red bell pepper, and fresh cilantro brings vibrant flavors and colors, while the rice wine vinegar and orange zest add just the right brightness. Best part is the ingredient list is simple and affordable, yet feels fancy enough to impress anyone at your table.
Beergarita
My go to drink for summer gatherings is this refreshing Beergarita, and let me tell you, it's a total crowd pleaser. The combination of tequila, triple sec, fresh lime juice, and a cold Corona creates something that tastes way more complicated than it actually is. Lime juice is packed with vitamin C, which is great for your immune system, and the whole thing takes just five minutes to throw together. Best part? It's incredibly budget friendly since you're probably already stocking most of these ingredients anyway.
Yuzu Collins
Have you tried a Yuzu Collins? This is my go to drink when I want something refreshing that comes together in just five minutes. The yuzu juice adds this beautiful citrus brightness that feels fancy but honestly couldn't be easier to make. I love that yuzu is packed with vitamin C, so you're basically getting a little immune boost while you enjoy your cocktail. It's the kind of drink that impresses friends without requiring any special bartending skills, perfect for a casual evening at home.
Reviews
Sign in to write a review.