This vegan bolognese sauce is made with crumbled tempeh and veggies. It’s packed with plant-based protein and a great vegetarian option to serve over pasta!
Don’t mind that I can never remember how to spell “bolognese”… this recipe is still one of our favorites! I love how quick and easy this recipe is AND it packs in a lot of veggies into one meal. Always a bonus in my book.
If tempeh is new to you, be sure to check out this tempeh 101 post. I chat about what tempeh is, the health benefits and some delicious vegan recipes. I’ve been a fan of tempeh for years but I know it’s an intimidating ingredient. Trust me when I say, you’re in good hands. This is a great recipe to try out tempeh for the first time! Next Meatless Monday meal? I think so. You won’t regret making this bolognese plant based.
The dish reheats well so you can make a full batch on Sunday and eat it throughout the week. I actually think the pasta sauce tasted better on the second day after the flavors had a little time to marinate.
First things first, I love serving this pasta sauce over chickpea pasta or spaghetti squash. I wrote an entire blog about the best way to cook spaghetti squash. Have pasta-like strands and spaghetti squash that isn’t watery.
While your pasta or sapghetti squash cooks, chop up your vegetables. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic to the skillet and sauté until fragrant. Make sure you stir frequently so they don’t burn. Add in the bell pepper and crumbled tempeh and sauté for another five minutes.
Reduce the heat to medium-low and add in the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, red wine vinegar, oregano, salt and pepper to the pan. Combine and let the mixture simmer for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally. Turn the heat down to low to keep warm until the spaghetti squash is done cooking.
When the spaghetti squash is done cooking, remove from the oven and use a fork to gently pull the flesh from the peel. Place the spaghetti squash noodles on a plate, top with the tempeh mixture, fresh basil and vegan parmesan (try my hemp parmesan recipe) or nutritional yeast. Voila! A delicious vegetarian meal that packs the plant based protein and nutrients.
If you make this vegan bolognese sauce, please be sure to leave a comment and star rating letting me know how it turns out for you! Your feedback is super helpful for the EBF team and other EBF readers.
This tempeh bolognese is made with crumbled tempeh and veggies. It’s packed with plant-based protein and a great vegetarian option to serve over pasta!
In a large pot or skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add garlic and onion and sauté until fragrant, stirring frequently so they don’t burn. Add in bell pepper and crumbled tempeh and sauté for about 5 minutes longer. Reduce heat to medium-low and add diced tomatoes, tomato paste, red wine vinegar, oregano, pepper and salt to the pan. Stir until everything is combined and let mixture simmer for 5-6 minutes or until heated through. Turn heat to low so the tempeh mixture stays warm until your pasta or spaghetti squash has finished cooking.
Place pasta on plate, top with tempeh bolognese mixture, sprinkle on fresh sliced basil and parmesan, if using and serve.
Another great tempeh recipe. The flavors and textures work so well on this, especially over roasted spaghetti squash and with the hemp parm. I made a double batch, and used half red wine and half red wine vinegar. Totally delicious, nutritious, and satisfying plant-based meal. Thank you!
Yay!! So glad you enjoyed this sauce, Yvonne. I really appreciate you coming back to leave a comment + star rating. It’s super helpful to other readers!
I did not know that about March, but that’s awesome! Spaghetti squash has been such a revelation to me. I love it more than regular pasta now. Talk about a win!
I am absolutely loving this!! I eat tempeh probably 3-4 times a week because it’s just so damn good. I like the idea of using it over spaghetti squash – protein and veggies FTW!
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Another great tempeh recipe. The flavors and textures work so well on this, especially over roasted spaghetti squash and with the hemp parm. I made a double batch, and used half red wine and half red wine vinegar. Totally delicious, nutritious, and satisfying plant-based meal. Thank you!
★★★★★
Yay!! So glad you enjoyed this sauce, Yvonne. I really appreciate you coming back to leave a comment + star rating. It’s super helpful to other readers!
Delicious! I added a bay leaf, substituted red wine for red wine vinegar, and Italian parsley for the basil.
★★★★
Yay! So glad that you enjoyed this recipe, Monika. And thank you for coming back to leave a comment and star rating. I so appreciate it!
I did not know that about March, but that’s awesome! Spaghetti squash has been such a revelation to me. I love it more than regular pasta now. Talk about a win!
I am absolutely loving this!! I eat tempeh probably 3-4 times a week because it’s just so damn good. I like the idea of using it over spaghetti squash – protein and veggies FTW!
How have I never thought to put my tempeh in spaghetti sauce?? This is why your blog is in my life 🙂
I just bought some tempeh and had no idea what I should do with it. This came at the perfect time! 🙂