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    Home » Entrees

    Vegan Bolognese with Impossible Meat

    Published: January 24, 2022 | 7:43 pm, Modified: Oct 4, 2023 by Connie Edwards McGaughy This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    Vegan Bolognese with Impossible Meat 🌱 A rich, thick & delicious classic Italian sauce made with all vegan ingredients including mushrooms, fresh veggies and the wildly popular plant-based brand - Impossible Meat.

    A bowl filled with pasta topped with vegan bolognese sauce, grated parmesan and fresh basil.

    Who wouldn't love to dig into this beautiful bowl of pasta? This vegan version of a traditional Italian Bolognese meat sauce is fantastico! So hearty and satisfying, chock full of fresh veggies, mushrooms and plant-based protein simmered in your favorite marinara. Just like our fan-favorite zucchini ravioli recipe, it's a perfect dish to serve to vegans and non-vegans alike. Everyone loves it!

    Table of Contents
    • Why you should try this recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • 🍅 Serving Tips
    • Equipment
    • 🍅 FAQ's
    • Recipe
    • Food Safety
    • Comments
    A bowl filled with pasta topped with vegan bolognese sauce, grated parmesan and fresh basil.

    This gorgeous sauce is the creation of my dear friend Christine, an avid foodie and full-blooded Italian who grew up enjoying her family's beloved Bolognese dinner every weekend. Their "Sunday Sauce" was a work of art for her parents - Mom and Dad tag team cooking together in the kitchen - preparing all the ingredients that went into their favorite weekly meal. The sauce would simmer for hours on the stove, filling the house with a comforting and irresistible aroma. Christine and her siblings loved to sneak into the kitchen for an early taste, dipping bread into the bubbling sauce.

    Christine wanted to find a way to veganize her family recipe. Her goal was to recreate the flavors and textures of the Bolognese sauce she loved, using all plant-based ingredients. After experimenting with a variety of meat substitutes, she was thrilled with the sauce she made with Impossible Meat. It was deliziosa!

    Why you should try this recipe

    • It's delicious & nutritious!
    • Very easy to prepare
    • Everyone will enjoy it - vegans and non-vegans!
    • Add or substitute ingredients to your liking
    An overhead image of a bowl of pasta topped with vegan bolognese sauce and sprinkles with vegan parmesan and basil leaves.

    What is Impossible Meat?

    Impossible Meat is a high protein meat substitute made with soy and potato proteins and other plant-based ingredients. Popular with meat eaters and vegans, it is one of the most widely used meat replacers purchased in the United States. Currently it is available in Canada, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, the UAE, and will be expanding to other countries. Their plant-based "ground beef" and other products can be purchased in grocery stores, restaurants and online.

    Ingredients

    • Vegan Ground Burger - Christine prefers Impossible brand, but you can substitute it with Beyond Beef or your favorite meat replacer.
    • Mushrooms - white or cremini
    • Celery - fresh
    • Onion - brown or yellow
    • Carrots - fresh
    • Bell pepper - red, orange or yellow (red bell peppers tend to be sweeter)
    • Garlic - fresh or powder
    • Basil - dried (preferred) or fresh
    • Bouillon - vegan beef flavored or vegetable
    • Olive oil
    • Red wine - or substitute with additional bouillon broth
    • Marinara sauce - homemade or your favorite store bought pasta sauce
    • Water
    • Salt & pepper

    Variations/Add-ins

    • Diced zucchini
    • Fennel
    • Red pepper flakes
    • Italian seasonings
    • Oregano
    • Vegan parmesan - store bought or homemade

    🥕See printable recipe card below for quantities and complete details

    A plate with fresh mushrooms, celery, rainbow carrots, red peppers, and onion.
    Packages of Impossible Burger, Not Beef vegan bouillon on a counter.

    Instructions

    • Rinse and finely dice all the veggies. A food processor is super helpful for this job, as you'll need about 2 cups of each vegetable.
    Prepared chopped mushrooms, celery, carrots, onions, and red bell pepper to be used in began bolognese sauce.
    • Pour olive oil into a large skillet or pan over medium heat. Add carrots and sauté for 2-3 minutes.
    • Add garlic and remaining veggies. Stir frequently (don't let garlic burn).
    • Dissolve bouillon in ¼ cup hot water, adding a small amount at a time to veggies.
    • Sauté until veggies are soft.
    • Remove veggies from pan, set aside.
    • In the same pan, add Impossible Burger meat, break apart into crumbles, cooking over medium-high heat. Stir to brown evenly.
    • Dissolve bouillon in ¼ cup hot water. Add a small amount at a time to "burger" meat.
    • Add 3 tablespoons of red wine. Stir "burger" meat, don't let it burn.
    • When the vegan meat is fully browned, add vegetables and stir to combine.
    A cast iron pan filled with steaming vegan bolognese sauce cooking on a stovetop.
    • Add marinara sauce. Stir to combine. Simmer for 2-3 minutes more.
    • Add additional marinara, bouillon or water if needed to adjust consistency of sauce.
    • Remove from heat and serve.

    🍅 Serving Tips

    Bolognese sauce is often served on broad types of pasta with nooks and crannies that hold the sauce. This sauce has such a thick & meaty consistency, you can toss the pasta and sauce together (known in Italy as Ragú alla Bolognese), covering everything with fabulous flavor .

    Top with a sprinkle of vegan parmesan, fresh basil, parsley, red pepper flakes or enjoy it simply on its own!

    I like to serve this Vegan Bolognese with Impossible Meat accompanied by a side salad and a toasty baguette to soak up extra sauce.

    If you are trying to cut carbs, zucchini noodles (zoodles) or spaghetti squash are the perfect pasta-free partners to pair with Bolognese sauce.

    A bowl filled with pasta topped with vegan bolognese sauce with Impossible meat.

    Equipment

    • Food processor or cutting board
    • Vegetable peeler
    • Chef's knife
    • Measuring cup
    • Long wooden spoon
    • Large deep skillet or stove top pot
    A bowl filled with pasta topped with vegan bolognese sauce.

    🍅 FAQ's

    Can I use a different ingredient than Impossible Meat in this recipe?

    Yes, you can easily substitute the Impossible Meat (burger) with another meat replacer of your choice. Choose a product that can be seared or browned in a pan, such as vegan "ground beef" or crumbles.

    How to store leftover Vegan Bolognese with Impossible Meat?

    Simply store leftover sauce refrigerated in an air-tight container up to 3 days or frozen up to 3 months. I like to use these convenient "souper cubes" for freezing soups and sauces.

    Is Bolognese sauce vegan?

    Traditional Bolognese sauce is made with ground meat. This recipe, however, for Vegan Bolognese with Impossible Meat is 100% plant-based.

    If you love this recipe, be sure to check out these delish dishes!

    • Vegan Stuffed Shells with Spinach & Cheese
    • Best Vegan Meatless Meatballs
    • Homemade Vegan Margherita Pizza
    • Vegan Spinach Pesto with Pistachios
    • Great Homemade Vegan Pizza Dough
    • Best Vegan Zucchini Ravioli
    A Pinterest pin with an image of vegan bolognese sauce on pasta in a decorative bowl.

    very vegan 🌱 very good

    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ If you’ve enjoyed this recipe, please rate it in the comments below. Sharing your experience helps others decide if they should give it a try too. Thanks a bunch!🥕

    Recipe

    Vegan Bolognese with Impossible Meat served on pasta in a decorative bowl.

    Vegan Bolognese with Impossible Meat

    by Connie🥕
    Vegan Bolognese with Impossible Meat 🌱 A rich, thick & delicious classic Italian sauce made with all vegan ingredients including mushrooms, fresh veggies and the wildly popular plant-based meat replacer – Impossible Burger.
    5 from 16 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time 20 minutes mins
    Cook Time 20 minutes mins
    Course Entree
    Cuisine Italian, Vegan
    Servings 8
    Calories 178 kcal

    Equipment

    • 1 Food processor or cutting board
    • 1 Vegetable peeler
    • 1 Chef's knife
    • 1 Measuring cup
    • 1 Long wooden spoon
    • 1 Large deep skillet or stove top pot

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 2 cups carrot diced
    • 2 cloves garlic minced - or garlic powder (optional)
    • ½ teaspoon basil dried
    • 2 cups celery diced
    • 2 cups onion brown or yellow (diced)
    • 2 cups mushrooms diced
    • 2 cups red bell peppers diced
    • 2 cubes vegan bouillon Better than Bouillon or vegan beef bouillon
    • ½ cup water
    • 12 oz Impossible burger
    • 3 tablespoons red wine optional
    • 2 cups marinara sauce
    • salt & pepper to taste

    Instructions
     

    • Rinse and finely dice all the veggies. A food processor is super helpful for this job, as you'll need about 2 cups of each vegetable.
    • Pour olive oil into a large skillet or pan over medium heat. Add carrots and sauté for 2-3 minutes.
    • Add garlic and remaining veggies. Stir frequently (don’t let garlic burn).
    • Dissolve bouillon in ¼ cup hot water. Add a small amount at a time to veggies.
    • Continue sautéing until veggies are soft but not mushy.
    • Remove veggies from pan, set aside.
    • In the same pan, add Impossible Burger meat, break apart into crumbles, cooking over medium-high heat. Stir to brown evenly.
    • Dissolve bouillon in ¼ cup hot water. Add a small amount at a time to vegan meat.
    • While vegan meat is cooking, add 3 tablespoon red wine. Stir meat, don’t let it burn.
    • When vegan meat is fully browned, add vegetables and stir to combine.
    • Add marinara sauce. Stir to combine. Simmer for 2-3 minutes more.
    • Add additional marinara, bouillon or water if needed to adjust consistency of sauce.
    • Remove from heat.
    • Sauce is ready to be used.

    Notes

    🥕Storage
    Package leftover sauce in an airtight container. Refrigerate up to 3 days or in freezer up to 3 months. 
    🥕Serving Tips
    Traditionally, Bolognese sauce is served on wide or broad types of pasta, preferably with nooks and crannies that hold the sauce. Because of it’s thick & meaty consistency, you can toss the pasta and sauce together, covering everything with fabulous flavor (known in Italy as Ragú alla Bolognese). It’s delicious served on vegan lasagna too!
    Top with a sprinkle of vegan parmesan, fresh basil, parsley, red pepper flakes or enjoy it simply on its own!
    I like to serve this Vegan Bolognese with Impossible Meat topped accompanied by a side salad and a toasty baguette to soak up extra sauce.
    If you are trying to cut carbs, zucchini noodles (zoodles) or spaghetti squash are the perfect pasta-free partners to pair with Bolognese sauce.
     
     
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 178kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 10gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 653mgPotassium: 736mgFiber: 6gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 6899IUVitamin C: 60mgCalcium: 101mgIron: 2mg

    These are estimated values generated from a nutritional database using unbranded products. Please do your own research with the products you're using if you have a serious health issue or are following a specific diet.

    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Food Safety

    • Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
    • Don’t leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
    • Never leave cooking food unattended
    • Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
    • Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

    See more guidelines at USDA.gov.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Sam

      January 30, 2022 at 10:39 am

      5 stars
      This is absolutely delicious!! This is the perfect dinner option for weeknights. Thank you!

      Reply
    2. Cindy Mom the Lunch Lady

      January 30, 2022 at 8:38 am

      5 stars
      This turned out wonderfully! We did use Beyond Meat as I couldn't find Impossible Meat here in Canada. Regardless the sauce was so hearty and the texture of the veggies was superb.

      Reply
      • Connie Edwards McGaughy

        January 30, 2022 at 2:48 pm

        Thank you Cindy! Beyond Meat is our go-to for many of our recipes. So happy you enjoyed it!

        Reply
    3. Dawn Conklin

      January 30, 2022 at 7:42 am

      5 stars
      This vegan Bolognese sauce is so delicious and easy to make! The family loved it, will definitely be making it again. Impossible Meat is our favorite brand for meat substitute too.

      Reply
      • Connie Edwards McGaughy

        January 30, 2022 at 2:47 pm

        Hi Dawn! I'm so happy you & your family enjoyed it! Thanks a bunch for sharing!🥕

        Reply
    4. Bianca

      January 30, 2022 at 4:14 am

      5 stars
      This vegan bolognese is packed with veggies and oh so delicious! Definitely gonna be making this more often in the future

      Reply
    5. Addie

      January 29, 2022 at 8:38 pm

      5 stars
      Such a great vegan dinner! Yum!

      Reply
    6. Shilpa

      January 29, 2022 at 4:04 pm

      5 stars
      So healthy and delicious! It’s perfect for weeknight dinner.

      Reply
    7. Jeannie

      January 29, 2022 at 3:40 pm

      5 stars
      this looks so good, will be getting impossible meat this weekend and try this recipe

      Reply
      • Connie Edwards McGaughy

        January 29, 2022 at 4:11 pm

        Thank you Jeannie! Hope you love it! Happy cooking!

        Reply
    8. Emily Flint

      January 29, 2022 at 12:28 pm

      5 stars
      This sauce was so delicious with all of the veggies and the impossible meat. My family is already asking for it again!

      Reply
      • Connie Edwards McGaughy

        January 29, 2022 at 4:10 pm

        Thanks so much for the wonderful comment Emily! So glad you enjoyed the recipe!

        Reply
    9. Sue

      January 29, 2022 at 11:54 am

      5 stars
      Impossible Burger is my favorite meat alternative. I can't wait to try it in this bolognese!

      Reply
      • Connie Edwards McGaughy

        January 29, 2022 at 4:09 pm

        Hi Sue! Love to hear if you decide to give it a try! Thanks a bunch!🥕

        Reply
    10. connie🥕

      January 24, 2022 at 8:06 pm

      5 stars
      This colorful, delicious & satisfying sauce is a crowd pleaser! Serve it to your vegan & non-vegan family and friends. They’ll be coming back for more!

      Reply
    Newer Comments »

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