Vegan Cauliflower Bolognese

I have created this vegan cauliflower bolognese recipe out of two easy recipes: cauliflower minced “meat” and simple tomato sauce. Combine the two and you will get an amazingly flavourful vegan bolognese sauce. It is healthy, satisfying, delicious and so similar in texture to the classic Bolognese Sauce.

Cauliflower Minced “Meat”

Meat is the base of a classic bolognese sauce. This cauliflower minced “meat” has such a similar texture to the cooked minced meat and tastes amazing. To make this minced “meat”, I simply process in the food processor raw cauliflower, walnuts, and spices until it is broken into small pieces. Then I spread the mixture on a baking tray and roast it for 20 minutes. (See the exact measurements below). While the cauliflower mixture is roasting, it is the perfect time to cook the tomato sauce.

Tomato Sauce

For this tomato sauce, I have sautéed onions and garlic in a little bit of olive oil. Then I added fresh tomatoes and also some passata (a store-bought tomato purée from a glass bottle). After adding some traditional Italian spices, I have simmered the sauce until the fresh tomatoes were cooked and mushy, turning into a sauce consistency.

How to make a perfect Vegan Bolognese?

To make this Vegan Cauliflower Bolognese you can just mix this fresh tomato sauce and the cauliflower minced “meat” roasted and ready from the oven. I stated the exact proportions in the recipe below.

What are other ways to use cauliflower minced “meat”?

You can use this cauliflower ground “meat” as a filling in tortillas, tacos, savory baked foods like pies, other pasta sauces, and casseroles.

Vegan Cauliflower Bolognese Recipe

Serves: 2

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Rating: 5.0/5

( 1 voted )

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Ingredients

Cauliflower Minced "Meat"

• 300 g. Cauliflower
• 80-100 g. Walnuts
• 2 Garlic Cloves
• 2 tbsp. Tomato Sauce
• 1 tbsp. Soy or Tamari Sauce
• Spices of choice
• 1/2 tsp. smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp. of ground cumin
• A dash of chili flakes 
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Tomato Sauce

• 2 Medium Onions
• 2 Garlic Cloves
• Fresh Tomatoes 300 g. 
• Tomato Sauce (Passata) 100 g. 
•  1 Tbsp. of Italian Spice mix (oregano, thyme, rosemary, basil)  
• Salt and Pepper to taste. 

 

Instructions

Prepare Cauliflower Minced "Meat"

1. Preheat the Oven to 200 C. (392 F);
2. Add cauliflower florets, walnut halves, and all the listed spices into the blender or a food processor and process it to the extent of small pieces, looking like ground "meat";
3. Spread the mixture evenly on the baking tray and bake for 20 minutes or until slightly golden;

1. Flip the mixture halfway through and keep an eye on it to not to overburn. 

Prepare Fresh Tomato Sauce

1.  Finely chop onions and garlic;
2. On a medium-high preheated pan add 1 tbsp. of olive oil or some water/ veggie broth and saute onions and garlic for 2 minutes;
3. Add chopped tomatoes, tomato sauce, 3-4 tbsp. of water and spices;
4. Bring the sauce to a quick boil and then reduce the heat to low;
5. Simmer for 20-30 minutes until the tomatoes are cooked and it looks like a mushy sauce. 

• Add the cauliflower minced meat to the hot tomato sauce and mix well. 
• Add your boiled pasta to the sauce and mix or serve the sauce on top of the pasta. 

 

Notes

1. For the Tomato sauce, I have used cherry tomatoes in my recipe, however, you can use any tomatoes of choice. Cherry tomatoes naturally have more sweetness that is why I like using them; 
2. I did not put oil in the ingredient list, as it is an optional ingredient and you can fry with or without it;
3. I highly recommend finishing up the sauce with freshly squeezed lemon juice of 1/2 lemon and some fresh parsley;
4. You can keep this sauce in a fridge for up to 3 days.

Did You Make This Recipe?

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