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Scooping vegan meat sauce with a wooden spoon
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5 from 12 ratings

Vegan Bolognese Sauce (With Tofu!)

Simple to make, this vegan bolognese sauce uses a trick to prepare the tofu in a way that mimics meat. It's ready in under an hour and has fooled many meat eaters (see comments)!
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Total Time50 minutes
Course: Dips, Sauces, and Salsas, Main Dishes, Pastas
Cuisine: American, Italian, Mediterranean
Diet: Diabetic, Gluten Free, Low Calorie, Low Fat, Low Lactose, Vegan, Vegetarian
Keyword: easy pasta sauce, tofu bolognese, vegan bolognese, vegan pasta, vegetarian bolognese
Servings: 4 servings
Author: Sarah Bond

Ingredients

  • 1 lb block firm tofu 453 g
  • 2 Tbsp nutritional yeast
  • 2 Tbsp soy sauce 30 mL
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil 15 mL
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp each garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder
  • 24 oz jar tomato sauce 680 g
  • ½ lb uncooked pasta* 226 g

Instructions

  • Prep: Preheat oven to 350°F (176°C). Drain tofu, then crumble it into small pieces.
  • Flavor: Stir together crumbled tofu, nutritional yeast, soy sauce, oil, and spices.
    A baking tray lined with parchment paper holds an even layer of golden brown granola, perfect for topping your favorite vegan bolognese, against a light blue background.
  • Bake: Spread tofu in a single layer onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 30 to 45 minutes, or until tofu is browned and a bit crispy at the edges.
    A baking sheet lined with parchment paper is covered with cooked, crumbled, and browned plant-based or vegan bolognese meat pieces on a light blue background.
  • Bolognese: Heat tomato sauce (on the stove or in the microwave), then stir in cooked tofu.
    A saucepan containing vibrant red vegan bolognese sauce on one side and browned ground meat on the other, viewed from above against a light blue background.
  • Pasta: Cook pasta according to instructions on package.
  • Assemble: Combine cooked pasta and tofu bolognese and serve hot, garnished with fresh basil leaves.
    A wooden spoon holds up a portion of thick, chunky vegan bolognese above a pan filled with more of the hearty sauce.

Video

Notes

Sauce Proportions: I like more sauce on my pasta, but this could be increased to 1 lb of pasta!
Storage: This sauce can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days in an airtight container. Or, you can freeze it for up to 3 months. Just store the pasta separate from the sauce.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 306kcal | Carbohydrates: 39.7g | Protein: 16.9g | Fat: 9.7g | Saturated Fat: 1.4g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 786mg | Potassium: 497mg | Fiber: 2.7g | Sugar: 1.9g | Calcium: 343mg | Iron: 8mg
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