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.
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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.
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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.
STEP 4
Repeat this process with the walnuts. Remember, there is no need to peel the walnuts.
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.
STEP 3
Next, add the minced walnuts to the saucepan and cook for another 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
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.
STEP 5
For an extra creamy bolognese sauce, add 1 cup of homemade vegan alfredo sauce to the mixture.
STEP 6
Before serving, sprinkle the vegan spaghetti bolognese with vegan parmesan cheese. Enjoy your vegan spaghetti bolognese.
💡 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.
🥣 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.
❄️ 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.
🤔 FAQs
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.
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.
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.
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:
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Vegan Spaghetti Bolognese (Cauliflower Walnut Meat)
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
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!
Megan Kerry
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!
David
Finally we spent the weekend at home so we could prepare this meal. Delicious! Looking forward to the next lunch ideas!
Agnes
Great recipe! Thanks! Amazing how you can substitute meat with cauliflower and walnut!