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    Home > Vegan Pasta Sauces

    Vegan Spaghetti Bolognese (Cauliflower Walnut Meat)

    By Nandor Barta on 10/10/2024 - May contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure.

    Jump to Recipe Print Pin

    This vegan spaghetti bolognese recipe is a healthier, whole foods twist on the classic dish, featuring a unique cauliflower walnut meat. It is not only super easy to prepare in just 20 minutes but also includes my famous hack for creating an extra creamy vegan bolognese sauce.

    White frying pan with red thick sauce with fake ground meat pieces topped with small heaps of spaghetti. A wooden spatula is placed inside. A small black plate with a serving serving is placed next to it.

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    If you enjoy this recipe, you might also like to try my classic vegan bolognese, tofu bolognese, lentil bolognese, or even my easy vegan lasagna with lentil bolognese for a comforting and delicious meal.

    ❤️ Why you’ll love it 

    This vegan spaghetti bolognese recipe is a game-changer for me. It uses cauliflower and walnut mince, which is the best-tasting plant-based whole foods ground beef alternative I have found. 

    The cauliflower gives the mince texture, while the walnut adds a meaty richness that is hard to resist. The use of simple ingredients like onion, garlic, and tomato sauce, along with herbs like oregano and basil, adds depth to the flavor. 

    Plus, the optional addition of homemade vegan alfredo sauce and vegan parmesan cheese makes it extra creamy and delicious.

    White frying pan with red thick sauce with fake ground meat pieces. A wooden spatula is taking some from the middle.
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    🧾 Key ingredients

    This vegan spaghetti bolognese is a hearty, flavorful dish that is easy to prepare with ingredients you can find at your local grocery store. The ingredients are simple and wholesome, many of which you may already have in your pantry or fridge.

    Spaghetti is the foundation of this dish. It provides a satisfying, chewy texture that pairs well with the rich bolognese sauce. You can use any other type of pasta you like as well, like tagliatelle which is classically used in Bologna, Italy.

    Cauliflower and walnuts are the stars of the bolognese sauce. When cooked and pulsed together, they create a crumbly, meat-like texture that is both delicious and satisfying.

    Olive oil, onion, and garlic are the aromatic base of the sauce. They add depth of flavor and a wonderful aroma that fills your kitchen as you cook.

    Sieved tomato puree provides the rich, tomatoey base for the bolognese sauce. It pairs well with the sweet paprika powder, oregano, and basil, creating a flavorful and aromatic sauce.

    Homemade vegan alfredo sauce and vegan parmesan cheese are optional additions that add a creamy, cheesy element to the dish. They elevate it to a whole new level of deliciousness.

    🛒 You can find detailed measurements for all ingredients in the printable version of the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

    🥘 Equipment

    For this vegan spaghetti bolognese recipe, a food processor is an essential piece of equipment. It helps to chop the cauliflower and walnuts into a minced texture, which is a crucial step in creating the unique, hearty texture of this plant-based bolognese sauce.

    👩‍🍳 Instructions

    Preparing the ingredients

    STEP 1
    Begin by cooking the spaghetti as per the instructions on the packaging. 

    STEP 2
    While the spaghetti is cooking, peel and chop the onion and garlic. Next, prepare the cauliflower. Remove the leaves and cut off the florets. Avoid using the trunk as it can be hard and fibrous.

    STEP 3
    Place the raw cauliflower florets in a food processor and chop them until they reach a minced texture.

    Food processor with chopped cauliflower

    STEP 4
    Repeat this process with the walnuts. Remember, there is no need to peel the walnuts.

    Food processor with chopped walnut

    Making the vegan spaghetti bolognese

    STEP 1
    Heat a non-stick saucepan and add a bit of olive oil. Cook the chopped onions and garlic on medium heat until they become soft and transparent. This should take about 2-3 minutes.

    STEP 2
    Add the minced cauliflower to the saucepan and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally.

    White frying pan with chopped cauliflower

    STEP 3
    Next, add the minced walnuts to the saucepan and cook for another 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally.

    White frying pan with chopped cauliflower and walnuts.

    STEP 4
    Add the tomato sauce and seasonings (oregano, basil, salt, black pepper, and sweet paprika powder) to the saucepan. Cook this mixture for 4-5 minutes.

    White frying pan with chopped cauliflower and walnuts in a red sauce.

    STEP 5
    For an extra creamy bolognese sauce, add 1 cup of homemade vegan alfredo sauce to the mixture.

    White frying pan with chopped cauliflower and walnuts in a red sauce. A hand is holding a cup and adding some white sauce.

    STEP 6
    Before serving, sprinkle the vegan spaghetti bolognese with vegan parmesan cheese. Enjoy your vegan spaghetti bolognese.

    White frying pan with chopped cauliflower and walnuts in a thick red sauce.

    💡 Expert tip

    The texture of the cauliflower and walnuts is crucial to this recipe. Ensure you process them until they reach a minced texture, not too coarse and not too fine, to mimic the texture of traditional bolognese.

    🔄 Variations

    Add a touch of sweetness with carrots. If you are looking for a slightly sweeter version of this vegan spaghetti bolognese, consider adding some finely chopped carrots to the sauce. They will not only add a hint of sweetness but also contribute to a richer sauce texture.

    Bring in some different textures with mushrooms. If you are a fan of mushrooms, why not add them to your bolognese sauce? They will provide a unique texture and earthy flavor to the dish. Remember to add them along with the cauliflower and walnuts, as they need a similar time to cook.

    If you like your food with a bit of heat, consider adding some chili flakes or cayenne pepper. These spices will give your vegan spaghetti bolognese a kick without overpowering the other flavors. Just sprinkle them in when you add the other seasonings.

    White frying pan with red thick sauce with fake ground meat pieces topped with small heaps of spaghetti. A wooden spatula is placed inside. A hand is holding a fork and pointing in the pasta.

    🥣 Serving ideas

    Vegan spaghetti bolognese is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed in a multitude of ways. It is a perfect base for many other delicious meals. For instance, you can use both the sauce and the cauliflower walnut meat to layer within a lasagna for a hearty, comforting meal.

    You can also stuff it in mushrooms, peppers, butternut squash, or zucchini for a lighter, yet still flavorful, option. Alternatively, you can top your baked potato with it for a quick and easy meal that is both nutritious and delicious.

    If you are in the mood for something spicy, consider making vegan chili with it. The rich tomato sauce and hearty cauliflower walnut meat add depth and complexity to the chili.

    And if you have leftovers, do not let them go to waste. Fill your crepes with it to make a savory breakfast or top your mac and cheese with it for a twist on the classic comfort food. The possibilities are endless with this versatile vegan spaghetti bolognese.

    3 black bowls of spaghetti topped with red sauce with fake meat pieces sprinkled with chopped green onion.

    ❄️ Storing tips

    Storing and reheating vegan spaghetti bolognese is easy and it does not affect the taste. In fact, it tends to become even more flavorful when stored in the fridge as the flavors continue to blend.

    To store, allow the spaghetti bolognese to cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container and place it in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh and tasty for about 3-4 days.

    If you are not planning to eat it immediately, consider freezing it. You can store it in the freezer in individual serving-sized portions. This is a great option for batch cooking. Just be sure to store the spaghetti and the sauce separately, combining them only when you are ready to eat. It can be kept in the freezer for up to 3 months.

    To reheat, warm the spaghetti bolognese on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally. You can also reheat it in the microwave, but remember to stir it every 30 seconds to guarantee even reheating.

    White frying pan with red thick sauce with fake ground meat pieces topped with small heaps of spaghetti. A wooden spatula is placed inside.

    🤔 FAQs

    Can I use a different type of pasta for this recipe?

    Yes, you can. While spaghetti is traditional for bolognese, you can use any type of pasta you prefer or have on hand. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time according to the pasta packaging instructions.

    What can I use instead of walnuts?

    If you are allergic to walnuts or simply do not like them, you can substitute them with other nuts like almonds or pecans. You can also use seeds like sunflower or pumpkin seeds. The texture might change slightly, but the sauce will still be delicious.

    Is the vegan alfredo sauce necessary for this recipe?

    No, it is not necessary but it does add a creamy texture to the bolognese sauce. If you prefer a less creamy sauce or do not have vegan alfredo sauce on hand, you can simply omit it.

    What can I use instead of vegan parmesan cheese?

    If you do not have Vegan Parmesan Cheese, you can use nutritional yeast. It gives a similar cheesy flavor. Alternatively, you can also use other types of vegan cheese or simply omit it.

    More vegan pasta recipes

    I share several yummy vegan pasta recipes not just variations of bolognese. Here is some of my favorite ones:

    • White bowl with tortiglioni pasta covered in green pesto topped with cherry tomato halves and sprinkled with yellow flakes.
      Easy Vegan Pesto Pasta
    • Yellow pasta sauce in a frying pan topped with mushroom meatballs.
      Carrot Pasta Sauce
    • Cast iron skillet with tagliatelle in a creamy light brown sauce with sliced mushrooms and freshly chopped green herbs. A hand is holding a fork to the middle.
      The Best Vegan Mushroom Pasta
    • Penne pasta with yellow bell pepper slices, brown mushroom shreds and spring onion rings in a creamy red sauce in a frying pan from above.
      Cajun Oyster Mushroom Pasta

    THANK YOU so much for visiting our website. Please comment below if you have tried this recipe. We LOVE hearing from you! If you loved the recipe, please don’t forget to give us a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ RATING. We appreciate all of our readers.  

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    White frying pan with red thick sauce with fake ground meat pieces topped with small heaps of spaghetti. A wooden spatula is placed inside.

    Vegan Spaghetti Bolognese (Cauliflower Walnut Meat)

    Nandor Barta
    This vegan spaghetti bolognese recipe is a healthier, whole foods twist on the classic dish, featuring a unique cauliflower walnut meat. It is not only super easy to prepare in just 20 minutes but also includes my famous hack for creating an extra creamy vegan bolognese sauce.
    4.9 from 8 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 20 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 538kcal

    Equipment

    • Non-stick frying pan (10.5 inch / 26 cm)
    • Food processor

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 8 oz Spaghetti
    • 3 cup Cauliflower
    • ¾ cup Walnut
    • 1 Tbsp Olive oil
    • 1 Onion (medium sized)
    • 2 cloves Garlic
    • 2 cup Sieved tomato puree aka Tomato sauce
    • 2 tsp Sweet paprika powder
    • 1 tsp Oregano
    • 1 tsp Basil
    • Salt and Pepper to taste
    • 1 cup Homemade Vegan Alfredo Sauce optional
    • Vegan Parmesan Cheese optional
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    Instructions
     

    Prepare the ingredients

    • Cook spaghetti according to packaging instructions.
    • Peel and chop onion and garlic.
    • Peel off the cauliflower leaves and cut off the florets. We don’t recommend using the trunk as it can be hard and fibery.
    • Add the raw cauliflower florets to a food processor and chop them until you get a minced texture. Repeat this step with the walnuts. We never peel the walnuts by the way.  

    Making the sauce

    • Take a non-stick saucepan and add a bit of olive oil. Cook on medium heat the chopped onions and garlic until they are soft and getting transparent. It should take only 2-3 minutes.
    • First, add minced cauliflower and cook them for 3-4 minutes. Stir occasionally.
    • Now, add minced walnut and cook them for another 3-4 minutes. Stir occasionally.
    • Add tomato sauce and seasoning (oregano, basil, salt, black pepper, and sweet paprika powder). Then cook this mixture again for 4-5 minutes.

    How to make it extra creamy?

    • Add 1 cup of our homemade vegan alfredo sauce at the end to get a perfectly creamy bolognese sauce.
    • Before serving, sprinkle it with vegan parmesan cheese. Enjoy!
    Tried this recipe? Can we see it?Please share a picture with us by uploading an image to Pinterest below ours.

    Notes

    How to store it?
    It is perfect for batch cooking. You can easily store it in the fridge for 3-4 days without any problem.
    Can you freeze it? 
    Store any leftovers per serving (in a jar, in a ziplock bag, or in an airtight container) in a freezer and thaw whenever you need them. 

    Video

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Vegan Spaghetti Bolognese (Cauliflower Walnut Meat)
    Amount Per Serving (1 serving)
    Calories 538 Calories from Fat 216
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 24g37%
    Saturated Fat 3g19%
    Polyunsaturated Fat 12g
    Monounsaturated Fat 7g
    Sodium 388mg17%
    Potassium 1189mg34%
    Carbohydrates 69g23%
    Fiber 9g38%
    Sugar 12g13%
    Protein 17g34%
    Vitamin A 1176IU24%
    Vitamin C 53mg64%
    Calcium 126mg13%
    Iron 5mg28%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    261 shares

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      4.88 from 8 votes (5 ratings without comment)

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    1. Megan Kerry

      February 14, 2019 at 5:26 am

      5 stars
      Awesome recipe! I’ve used walnut as a meat replacement for bolognese sauce but I haven’t tried it along side the cauliflower! This is such a great idea! Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    2. David

      September 08, 2018 at 11:43 am

      5 stars
      Finally we spent the weekend at home so we could prepare this meal. Delicious! Looking forward to the next lunch ideas!

      Reply
    3. Agnes

      August 02, 2018 at 8:46 pm

      5 stars
      Great recipe! Thanks! Amazing how you can substitute meat with cauliflower and walnut!

      Reply

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    • A burger with layers of green ruffled lettuce, yellow sauce, thin cheese slices, dark brown burger patty twice, sliced pickles and white chopped onion.
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