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    You are here: Home » Meal Type » Pasta » Mushroom Bolognese over Pappardelle Noodles (Vegan)

    Mushroom Bolognese over Pappardelle Noodles (Vegan)

    March 3, 2020 By Danielle Esposti 15 Comments

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    Your  Meatless Monday just got really, really exceptional – hello Mushroom Bolognese! Loaded with veggies, this healthy meal comes together with little effort and I promise that you won’t miss the meat! Skip the noodles and serve over cauliflower puree or polenta for a gluten-free dinner.

    Mushroom bolognese over pappardelle noodles in a white pasta bowl with a vintage fork and spoon, small bowl of chopped parsley, and dark grey linen napkin.
    Jump to:
    • How to Make Vegan Mushroom Bolognese
    • Tips for Making This Recipe Perfectly
    • Can I Make Vegan Bolognese Ahead of Time?
    • Can I Freeze Mushroom Bolognese?
    • What’s the Best Pasta to Use?
    • Can I Make this a Gluten Free Meal?
    • More Bold & Flavorful Vegan Recipes
    • Recipe

    Why yes, that is me giving this bowl of pasta heart eyes from across the room. I just can’t help myself. <<blushes>>

    When it comes to comfort food, there’s nothing quite like a big bowl of pasta bolognese and this vegan version is no exception. Mushroom bolognese is so hearty and flavorful, and it’s the perfect tonic to cold weather.

    We try to go meat free a few days a week and I love this recipe when I’m craving comfort food or just something a little extra special. It’s amazingly rich in flavor and the texture of the mushrooms are the perfect substitution for beef.

    A metal ladle tucked into a dutch oven filled with vegan bolognese sauce.

    How to Make Vegan Mushroom Bolognese

    If you’re looking for quick and easy, this isn’t the recipe for you. But if you’re looking for an exceptionally flavorful meal that will have you embracing meatless Monday (or Sunday) full-throttle, you’ll find yourself in good hands. Vegan mushroom bolognese takes a little time (but not too much effort, pinky promise!) and the result is worth every minute. Portobello mushrooms are the perfect alternative to beef or pork for a rich and hearty bolognese sauce. 

    Need a different visual? This post is also available as a story!

    Left - chopped portobello mushrooms; right - diced onion, carrot, and celery on a cutting board.

    PREP: Sharpen your knife and chop those veggies! Like traditional bolognese, texture  matters. Cut the portobello mushrooms into a coarse dice (less than 1″) and the mire poix into a fine dice.

    1. Saute the mushrooms over high heat until the mushrooms release their liquids and then the liquid evaporates. You’ll know the liquid has completely evaporated when a thin coating of oil remains at the bottom of the pot.
    2. Add the onions, carrots, celery, and garlic; saute until the onions turns translucent.
    3. Add the tomato paste and cook until color deepens.
    4. Deglaze with red wine, then add the tomatoes and season with salt and pepper. Give everything a good stir, then top with the bay leaf and fresh thyme. 
    5. Simmer at least 20 minutes, or up to 1 hour, until the bolognese is deep red in color.
    6. Remove the bay leaf and thyme stems, then taste for seasoning. Adjust with salt and pepper until the flavor sings.
    • Portobello mushrooms sautéed until crisp and water content is released in a red dutch oven.
    • Diced portobello mushrooms sautéed with onion, celery, carrot, and garlic in a red dutch oven.
    • Tomato paste worked into the vegetables for mushroom bolognese sauce base.
    • Mushroom bolognese topped with fresh thyme and a bay leaf in a soup pot before simmering.
    • Mushroom bolognese sauce in a red dutch oven, garnished with parsley.
    • A ladleful of mushroom bolognese hovering over a dutch oven.

    Tips for Making This Recipe Perfectly

    • Cook the sauce in a heavy bottomed pan. A pot like a dutch oven distributes heat more evenly so you don’t get hot spots that can cause the sauce to scald.
    • Properly sautéed mushrooms take patience, and more oil than you think. They will release a ton of liquid in the first 15 minutes, and it will look soupy. Don’t be alarmed! The liquid will continue to cook off and once finished you’ll see a thin film of oil at the bottom of the pan. This is your signal to move onto the next step. 
    • Sear the mushrooms (mostly) undisturbed. Resist the urge to stir too frequently! You want the mushrooms to brown.
    • Meaty portobello mushrooms work really well for this recipe – the finished flavor is very bold. That being said, baby portobello mushrooms work well.
    • Add more umami flavor. Substitute up to ½ pound of shiitake mushrooms, or 1 oz dried porcini mushrooms (reconstitute in boiling water first!).

    Can I Make Vegan Bolognese Ahead of Time?

    Yes! After cooking the sauce, let it cool to room temperature and transfer to an airtight container in the fridge. It will keep well for up to 5 days and you can reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave. 

    Can I Freeze Mushroom Bolognese?

    Unfortunately mushrooms don’t freeze well. Their texture can change quite considerably after thawing, so freezing isn’t recommended.

    Garnishing a bowl of mushroom bolognese over pappardelle noodles with fresh chopped parsley.

    What’s the Best Pasta to Use?

    It’s best to serve bolognese with a thick wide noodle so it captures all of the sauce. I love to serve it with pappardelle or tagliatelle but rigatoni and penne also work well. For a gluten-free alternative, polenta is terrific. For a grain-free (and extra veggie!) alternative, serve over cauliflower puree.

    Can I Make this a Gluten Free Meal?

    Yes! Feel free to use your favorite gluten free pasta, or course, or serve over polenta. For a grain free meal, serve of cauliflower mashed potatoes or pureed cauliflower.

    More Bold & Flavorful Vegan Recipes

    • Cauliflower Shawarma Buddha Bowl
    • Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
    • Black Bean Bowls with Sweet Potatoes and Quinoa
    • Lemon Orzo with Spring Vegetables
    Side view, mushroom bolognese over pappardelle noodles in a white pasta bowl with a vintage fork and spoon.

    Did you make this mushroom bolognese? I’d love to know how it turned out! Leave a comment and a rating below.

    While you’re at it, let’s be friends – follow me on Pinterest and Instagram for the latest and greatest.

    Recipe

    Mushroom bolognese with pasta served in a bowl with a spoon and fork

    Mushroom Bolognese

    4.88 from 8 votes
    Author: Danielle Esposti
    Print Recipe Rate this Recipe Pin Recipe
    If you're looking for a quick dinner, this isn't the recipe for you. But if you're looking for an exceptionally flavorful meal that will have you embracing Meatless Monday (or Sunday) full-throttle, you'll find yourself in good hands. Vegan mushroom bolognese takes a little time (but not too much effort, pinky promise!) and the result is worth every minute. Portobello mushrooms are the perfect alternative to beef or pork for a rich and hearty bolognese sauce. 
    Prep Time: 15 mins
    Cook Time: 1 hr
    Total Time: 1 hr 15 mins
    Servings : 6 servings
    Calories: 240

    Recommended Equipment

    • Dutch Oven

    Ingredients

    • 1.5 lb portobello mushrooms, diced to 1”
    • 6 tbsp olive oil
    • 1 large sweet onion, diced to ½”
    • 1 medium carrot, peeled and finely diced
    • 1 stalk celery, finely diced
    • 2 cloves garlic, minced
    • 2 tbsp tomato paste
    • 1 c dry red wine
    • 1 28-oz can crushed tomatoes
    • 1-2 tsp kosher salt
    • 1 tsp cracked black pepper
    • 1 bay leaf
    • 1 bundle fresh thyme, or 1 tsp dried thyme
    • chopped fresh parsley, to taste, for garnish

    Instructions

    • Heat the olive over high heat in a dutch oven until shimmering. Add the mushrooms and toss to coat in the fat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms release their liquids and then the liquid evaporates, about 25 minutes. You’ll know the liquid has completely evaporated when a thin coating of oil remains at the bottom of the pot.
    • Reduce the heat to medium high. Add the onions, carrots, celery, and garlic, then toss to combine. Saute, stirring occasionally, until the onions are translucent, about 10 minutes.
    • Add the tomato paste and work into the vegetables; stir frequently until dark red in color, about 2 minutes.
    • Pour in the red wine and deglaze the pot, stirring up any browned bits from the bottom. Continue cooking until the wine stops bubbling, 2-3 minutes.
    • Add the tomatoes and season with salt and pepper. Give everything a good stir, then top with the bay leaf and fresh thyme. Cook at least 20 minutes more and up to 1 hour, until the flavors have melded and the bolognese is deep red in color.
    • Toss half the mushroom bolognese with one pound cooked pappardelle noodles. Portion into bowls and finish with an additional scoop of bolognese. Serve immediately.

    Notes

    • Mushrooms need a lot of oil to properly sauté. They will release a ton of liquid in the first 15 minutes, and it will look soupy. Don’t be alarmed! The liquid will continue to cook off and once finished you’ll see a thin film of oil at the bottom of the pan. This is your signal to move onto the next step. 
    • Serve over polenta for a gluten-free option or cauliflower puree for a grain-free and paleo option. 

    Nutrition Information

    Calories: 240kcal (12%), Carbohydrates: 16g (5%), Protein: 4g (8%), Fat: 14g (22%), Saturated Fat: 2g (10%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 10g, Trans Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 0mg, Sodium: 318mg (13%), Potassium: 1001mg (29%), Fiber: 4g (16%), Sugar: 8g (9%), Vitamin A: 144% (144%), Vitamin C: 29% (29%), Calcium: 22% (22%), Iron: 4% (4%)
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @oursaltykitchen or tag #oursaltykitchen!
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    Disclaimer: This post and the recipe card may contain affiliate links, which means we receive a small commission (at no cost to you!) if you make a purchase using these links. Rest assured, we only endorse products we own and truly love!

    15 Comments
    Filed Under: Main Dishes, Pasta, Vegan, Vegetarian

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Robert B

      March 13, 2020 at 10:27 pm

      4 stars
      I very much like this recipe, very tasty, but personally I like more sauce. Next time I am going to add a can of tomato sauce to it, and probably another clove of garlic The spices are perfect: I used several sprigs of fresh thyme from my garden and a leaf of fresh California Bay. Very nice! Thank you!

      Reply
    2. Lizzy

      March 31, 2020 at 10:13 pm

      5 stars
      Loved it. Defines keeper – Thanks for sharing

      Reply
    3. Jeremy Paul

      June 28, 2020 at 10:22 am

      All these dishes sound great! Have you tried all of them? I think I have certain recommendations which you will have quite fun creating and sharing with your family and friends!

      Reply
    4. Suzanne

      October 17, 2020 at 9:13 pm

      5 stars
      Dude, cutting 1.5 pounds of mushrooms was rough, but totally worth it. This was a great meatless recipe. I did add extra carrots and celery because I love veggies.
      This turned out great. Thank you for sharing

      Reply
    5. Diane

      November 09, 2020 at 8:34 pm

      5 stars
      Made this for meatless Monday….even my husband who’s a “meat eater” loved it! Absolutely delicious!

      Reply
    6. Belinda

      June 07, 2021 at 9:23 pm

      5 stars
      I made this because I had a surprise vegetarian guest at a dinner party and it was delicious. So hearty — definitely don’t miss thé meat

      Reply
    7. Lisa

      November 02, 2021 at 11:53 pm

      We made this for Meatless Monday, served it over papardelle, it was gorgeous. I like to have a few great vegan recipes available as we have several vegan friends. This is an outstanding recipe, easy to make, and has a wonderful complex flavor. My husband cleaned his plate and that’s a compliment from him. I froze the leftover sauce, plan to serve it over polenta with some kale or beet greens. I’ve frozen lots of mushroom containing foods in the past with no issues. I’ll report back how it fares.

      Reply

    Trackbacks

    1. Meatless Monday Mushroom Bolognese – My Blog says:
      September 6, 2020 at 1:07 pm

      […] Your Meatless Monday just got really, really exceptional – hello Mushroom Bolognese! Loaded with veggies, this healthy vegan dinner recipe comes together easily and I promise that you won’t mis the meat! Plant based and packed with healthy vitamins and minerals, this bolognese is great for a crowd and also super flexible. Serve over polenta for a gluten free meal, or cauliflower puree for a paleo and grain free dinner., source : oursaltykitchen.com […]

      Reply
    2. Mushroom Bolognese – My Blog says:
      September 6, 2020 at 2:46 pm

      […] Your Meatless Monday just got really, really exceptional – hello Mushroom Bolognese! Loaded with veggies, this healthy vegan dinner recipe comes together easily and I promise that you won’t mis the meat! Plant based and packed with healthy vitamins and minerals, this bolognese is great for a crowd and also super flexible. Serve over polenta for a gluten free meal, or cauliflower puree for a paleo and grain free dinner., source : oursaltykitchen.com […]

      Reply
    3. WHATS FOR DINNER!? | *FOUR* EASY & BUDGET FRIENDLY FAMILY RECIPE IDEAS | JULIA PACHECO - paprikaspice.page says:
      October 11, 2020 at 7:08 pm

      […] drumsticks: https://curbingcarbs.com/baked-chicken-drumsticks/ Meatless meal mushroom Bolognese: https://oursaltykitchen.com/mushroom-bolognese-over-pappardelle-noodles-vegan/ Garlic Parmesan chicken: https://togetherasfamily.com/baked-parmesan-chicken/ My favorite meatball […]

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    4. WHATS FOR DINNER!? | *FOUR* EASY & BUDGET FRIENDLY FAMILY RECIPE IDEAS | JULIA PACHECO | Recipe Supremacy says:
      October 16, 2020 at 12:19 am

      […] drumsticks: https://curbingcarbs.com/baked-chicken-drumsticks/ Meatless meal mushroom Bolognese: https://oursaltykitchen.com/mushroom-bolognese-over-pappardelle-noodles-vegan/ Garlic Parmesan chicken: https://togetherasfamily.com/baked-parmesan-chicken/ My favorite meatball […]

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