How to Make a Meaty Bolognese Without Using Any Meat

Spaghetti bolognese is a midweek classic in households all over the US. The dish is hearty, filling, and comforting, so it’s unsurprising that it’s a firm family favorite. It’s also incredibly versatile; while the sauce is often made with beef mince, it also tastes delicious with everything from lentils to mushrooms to jackfruit. If you’re in the mood for plant-based bolognese, find some of our favorite ways to make the popular dish with vegan ingredients below.

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What is bolognese sauce made of?

Bolognese sauce originated in Bologna, in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, where it’s known as ragu alla bolognese. Traditionally, it’s made with a mix of ingredients like ground beef, onions, and tomatoes, alongside Italian herbs and spices. The savory, meaty sauce is then served with thick tagliatelle noodles. Multiple variations exist, and some chefs also use ground veal or ground pork, notes Britannica.

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In the UK and the US, bolognese is also often made with ground beef and tomatoes, but instead of tagliatelle, it’s usually served with thinner spaghetti noodles. This is likely because, for a long time, spaghetti was the most widely available pasta outside of Italy. This means that spaghetti bolognese is actually more of an American and British version of the Italian classic.

“Cooks and diners in Emilia-Romagna generally agree, however, that the wide egg noodle called tagliatelle is the best vehicle for the ragù, allowing the thick sauce to cling to every bite,” states Britannica. “When one finds it on a menu served with spaghetti, farfalle, or other kinds of pasta, the location is very probably outside Emilia-Romagna.”

What to use instead of beef in bolognese

When it comes to bolognese, there are no real rules. You can serve it however you like, with whatever pasta shape you like, and you don’t have to make it with ground meat, either.

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Plant-based ingredients like mushrooms and lentils work just as well, but if you prefer the texture of beef, you can also opt for meatier vegan options like soy mince or textured vegetable protein (TVP). 

7 plant-based bolognese recipes

Need more inspiration? Check out some of our go-to plant-based bolognese recipes below. 

Chris Shoebridge

1 Vegan Spaghetti Bolognese

This simple but delicious spaghetti bolognese recipe comes together with ingredients like tomato paste, basil, oregano, garlic, soy crumbles, and red wine (for added depth of flavor). It’s aromatic, meaty, and a total crowd-pleaser. Serve it with crusty garlic bread, basil, and a generous sprinkle of vegan parmesan.
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2 Easy Vegan Lentil Bolognese Spaghetti Squash Boats

Bolognese is traditionally served with pasta, but you can enjoy it with any ingredients you like. In this recipe, the sauce is made with a nutritious mix of crushed tomatoes, red lentils, and onions before it’s served in delicious spaghetti squash boats. Again, vegan parmesan and a sprinkle of fresh basil is a must.
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3 Hearty Vegan Mushroom Bolognese With Fettuccine

If, like many Italians, you believe that bolognese sauce is at its best when served with thicker noodles, we heartily recommend this fettuccine recipe. The aromatic, plant-based sauce is made with a delicious mix of mushrooms, peppers, cherry tomatoes, and onions. Don’t forget to finish with a few twists of black pepper.
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Alpha Foodie

4 Easy Vegan Bolognese With Soy Mince

Soy mince brings a beefy texture to this simple yet hearty vegan bolognese dish. The sauce is deliciously rich and tomato-y, making it the perfect comfort dish (especially for the colder months of the year). “If you eat meat-free, you can use several types of vegan bolognese options: lentils, mushrooms, or good ol’ soy protein,” says recipe developer Samira of Alpha Foodie. “While I’ve tried each method, I always refer back to the latter for its meaty texture/consistency.”
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School Night Vegan

5 Tofu Bolognese

Tofu is the perfect vessel for soaking up all of the delicious flavors in this bolognese sauce, and it also provides a little bit of a tender, meaty texture. “If you’re looking for a simple, deliciously meaty sauce that doesn’t require any store-bought meat alternatives, you’ve come to the right place,” says Richard Makin of School Night Vegan.
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By the Forkful

6 Vegan Jackfruit Bolognese

Because of its slightly stringy texture, jackfruit is often used as a vegan swap for pulled pork or chicken, but it also works beautifully in bolognese sauce, too. It adds a nice tender mouthfeel and it soaks up the tomato flavors well. “This jackfruit bolognese is hearty, delicious, and a really fun way to cook a bolognese with a bit of a twist,” says Yasmin of By the Forkful.
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Plant Based Jess

7 TVP Bolognese Sauce

Ground TVP is another great way to add a bit of meaty texture to your bolognese sauce. In this recipe, Plant Based Jess pairs it with ingredients like canned tomatoes, dried herbs, and red wine for an authentic Italian taste. After that, the recipe developer says she adds a “little plant-based milk and nutritional yeast” for a creamy texture and a touch of umami.
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