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–+ servings
Recipe

Vegan Tempeh Bolognese

4.67 from 3 votes
Author: Thomas Pagot
This delicious vegan bolognese sauce is rich and meaty, and packed with flavor! Serve it on top of pasta, or use it in lasagna or baked casseroles!
Prep Time : 20 minutes
Cook Time : 40 minutes
Total Time : 1 hour
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
 

  • 1 tbsp oil
  • 7 ounces tempeh scrambled into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp oil
  • 1 tbsp vegan butter
  • 1 medium onion finely diced
  • 3 cloves of garlic minced
  • 1 medium carrot finely diced
  • 1 celery stalk finely diced
  • 1 14-ounce can diced tomatoes
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • 1/2 tsp rosemary
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1/8 tsp smoked paprika
  • 2 cups vegetable broth I used a low-sodium broth
  • salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Heat one tablespoon of oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the scrambled tempeh and sauté for 3-5 minutes, or until golden brown.
  • Deglaze the pan with the soy sauce and stir to coat the tempeh. Cook for one more minute. Remove from heat and set aside.
  • Next, heat another tablespoon of oil and one tablespoon of vegan butter in a medium pot over medium heat. Once the butter has melted, add the onion and garlic, and cook for 2-3 minutes.
  • Add the diced carrots and celery and sauté for 3-5 minutes. Add the scrambled tempeh and cook for another minute.
  • Add the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, rosemary, sugar, and smoked paprika. Pour in the vegetable broth.
  • Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and let simmer partially covered for 30-40 minutes, or until the bolognese has thickened to your liking. I personally let it simmer for 30 minutes.
  • Once the bolognese has reached the desired consistency, remove it from heat and adjust the saltiness to taste. Season with about 1/8 tsp of ground black pepper.
  • Use this bolognese on top of noodles, pasta, or in baked dishes! This bolognese will keep for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.

Notes

  • If you find your bolognese too chunky: use an immersion blender and pulse a few times until you get a thinner consistency. Do not process for too long as you want to keep some texture.
  • While optional, you can add about 1/8 tsp of vegan Worcestershire sauce. It will add another level of flavor to the sauce. Highly recommended!
  • If serving this bolognese on top of pasta: reserve 2-3 tablespoons of the pasta cooking water and stir it into the bolognese. This step will help emulsify the sauce and thicken it.