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    Home » Recipes » Lunch & Dinner

    Mar 28, 2023 by Katie

    Tofu Bolognese

    Jump to Recipe Step-by-Step Photos Watch the Video

    Indulge in a bowl of cozy comfort with this easy Tofu Bolognese recipe, which offers a delightful meatless pasta option for a hearty lunch or dinner. The dish is based on my Tofu Ground Beef recipe and features a rich tomato sauce that blends perfectly to create a satisfying flavor.

    spaghetti topped with tofu bolognese. next to it a glass of white wine, fresh cherry tomatoes and fresh cilantro.
    Jump to:
    • Why you'll love this recipe
    • Ingredients & substitution notes
    • How to make tofu bolognese
    • Top tips
    • Variations & add-ins
    • Make ahead options
    • Storage
    • FAQ
    • More pasta recipes
    • 📖 Recipe

    I love curling up with a piping hot bowl of this vegan Bolognese, it’s the ultimate comfort food and is bursting with healthy ingredients like tofu, celery, tomatoes and carrots. It's also quick and easy to make and requires no special equipment.

    A total crowd-pleaser, this recipe is set to become a staple in your home.

    For more tofu recipes check out my Sticky Tofu, Indian Tofu Curry of this collection of Silken Tofu Recipes.

    Why you'll love this recipe

    • Delicious: quite simply, this is a mouth-watering recipe with a variety of texture. The tofu soaks up all the spices and flavors added to it and results in a wonderful umami-laded dish.
    • Heart Healthy: this meatless Tofu Bolognese can contribute excellent benefits such as being cholesterol free, high in fiber and lower in fat compared to ground beef, making it a heart healthy option.
    • Protein-rich: tofu is also a great source of plant-based protein.
    • Meal prep potential: make a big batch and eat it all week!
    • A vehicle for left-over veggies: hide a myriad of veggies in your Bolognese….leeks, zucchini, beans, peppers….
    • Made with simple ingredients that are easily accessible.

    Ingredients & substitution notes

    ingredients needed for tofu bolognese.
    • Tofu Ground Beef: Extra firm tofu, soy sauce, oil, garlic powder, paprika powder, smoked paprika powder, nutritional yeast, cornstarch
    • Olive oil: You can substitute any other type of cooking oil that you prefer.
    • Onion: You can use any type of onion - white, yellow, or red onion.
    • Garlic: If you don't have fresh garlic, you can use garlic powder or minced garlic from a jar. Onion powder works well, too.
    • Celery: If you don't like celery, you can omit it or use another vegetable, such as leeks or green onion.
    • Unsweetened tomato sauce: You can use canned tomato puree or passata instead of tomato sauce. If you prefer a sweeter sauce, you can add a pinch of sugar instead of maple syrup.
    • Diced, canned tomatoes: If you don't have canned tomatoes, you can use fresh tomatoes instead. Simply chop them into small pieces and use them in place of the canned tomatoes.
    • Maple syrup: You can substitute any other sweetener that you prefer, such as agave nectar.
    • Veggie broth: If you don't have vegetable broth, you can use water instead. Alternatively, you can use chicken or beef broth if you are not vegan.
    • Italian seasoning: You can make your own Italian seasoning blend by combining dried oregano, basil, thyme, rosemary, and marjoram.
    • Salt and pepper: You can adjust the amount of salt and pepper to taste.
    • Pasta of choice: You can use your favorite pasta, such as spaghetti, tagliatelle or penne.

    See recipe card for quantities.

    How to make tofu bolognese

    crumbled seasoned tofu in a bowl.

    STEP 1: Press and crumble the tofu. Add the spices and mix thoroughly.

    tofu ground beef on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

    STEP 2: Bake on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for 20-30 minutes or until preferred texture. Check out the Tofu Ground Beef post for detailed instructions.

    chopped onion, celery, garlic in a saucepan.

    STEP 3: Add the onions, celery and garlic and saute until the onion is tender and translucent.

    tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, Italien herbs, chopped carrots in a saucepan.

    STEP 4: Add in all the other ingredients and simmer uncovered on low for 20-25 minutes to prevent burning.

    tomato sauce for tofu bolognese in a saucepan.

    STEP 5: Let the sauce simmer for a couple of minutes on a medium heat until the carrots and celery are soft. You may need to add more veggie broth and carry on cooking.

    cooked tofu crumbles added to a tomato sauce in a saucepan.

    STEP 6: Add in the ground tofu crumbles and let the sauce simmer for another 3 minutes.

    Top tips

    • Tofu: Use high-quality chunks of tofu, organic if possible.
    • Drain & Dry: Don’t forget to drain and dry the tofu before you cook it.
    • Adjust texture by breaking the tofu into larger or smaller crumbles.
    • Finely dice veggies: Finley dice celery and carrots to ensure that they are soft after 25 minutes. If they are still raw, add a splash of veggie broth and continue cooking until tender.
    • Add umami flavors: Tofu doesn't have a strong flavor on its own, so it's important to add savory, umami flavors to the sauce. You can do this by using ingredients like soy sauce, tomato paste and nutritional yeast.
    • Simmer the sauce: Letting the sauce simmer for a while will help the flavors meld together and create a richer, more flavorful sauce.
    • Top with fresh herbs: Adding fresh basil, oregano or fresh parsley can brighten up the flavor of the sauce.
    • Balance out flavors: If the sauce tastes a bit sour from the tomatoes, balance it out by adding in a touch of sugar. On the other hand, if the sauce taste too sweet, a splash of Balsamic vinegar will balance that all out.
    • Add a good crack of black pepper before serving, for another layer of flavor.
    spaghetti topped with tofu bolognese. next to it a glass of white wine, fresh cherry tomatoes and fresh cilantro.

    Variations & add-ins

    • Gluten-free: use tamari instead of soy sauce and choose gluten-free pasta.
    • Spicy: add in a touch of chili, red pepper flakes or cayenne powder for a little kick.
    • Red wine: pour in a little red wine between the carrots, celery and onion and adding in the rest of the ingredients. Let it cook for a few minutes to let the alcohol evaporate.
    • Omit veggies if you’d prefer.
    • Ready-made sauce from the supermarket to speed things up, there are plenty of good ones out there.

    Make ahead options

    This bolognese recipe is meal prep friendly. Store the sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

    Storage

    • To store: Store pasta and sauce separately! Pack the sauce in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
    • To freeze: is possible but will change the structure of the tofu slightly which is why I don't necessarily recommend it.
    • To reheat: add a splash of veggie broth and reheat slowly in the microwave or on a stovetop.
    cast iron pan with tofu bolognese.

    FAQ

    What type of tofu should I use?

    For best results, use firm or extra-firm tofu, this will ensure your “meat” has a good texture as crumbled tofu.

    Should I press the block of tofu?

    I quickly press it, yes. That way it absorbs the flavors nicely in this tofu spaghetti sauce. You don't need a tofu press, just use a heavy skillet or your hands to squeeze out any excess moisture.

    Can I substitute other ingredients for tofu in this recipe?

    Unfortunately not, no.

    What kind of pasta goes well with this Bolognese?

    You can use any pasta really but a long thin pasta like spaghetti, linguine or fettucine are best for this tofu pasta sauce.

    More pasta recipes

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      Green Sauce Pasta (10 min)
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    📖 Recipe

    spaghetti topped with tofu bolognese. next to it a glass of white wine, fresh cherry tomatoes and fresh cilantro.

    Tofu Bolognese

    Author: Katie
    As a classic Italian sauce, Bolognese is a well-loved dish full of great flavor and nostalgia. This vegan Tofu Bolognese recipe will be just as popular with your whole family as its meaty texture and savory taste really delivers.
    If you love this recipe as much as we do, click on the 5-stars below!
    4.75 from 4 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 35 minutes minutes
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Italian-inspired
    Servings: 2
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    Ingredients

    Tofu Ground Beef

    • 12 oz firm or extra-firm tofu
    • 3 tablespoon soy sauce *or tamari (gluten-free)
    • 2 tablespoon oil *olive, sunflower...
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 2 teaspoon paprika powder
    • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika powder
    • 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast *optional
    • 1 teaspoon corn starch

    Bolognese Sauce

    • 1-2 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 onion *finely diced
    • 2 garlic cloves *finely diced
    • 1 celery stalk *finely diced
    • 1 large or 2 small carrots *finely diced, see ingredients shot
    • 1 15oz can unsweetened tomato sauce equals 1 heaped cup
    • 1 14oz can diced tomatoes in tomato sauce
    • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
    • ¾ cup veggie broth
    • 2 teaspoon Italian seasoning *mix of dried marjaram, oregano, parsley
    • pinch salt + black pepper
    • pasta of choice

    Instructions

    Tofu Ground Beef

    • Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
    • Press the tofu. Place the tofu on a plate or cutting board and cover it with a clean kitchen cloth or paper towels. Use your hands to squeeze out any excess water.
    • Crumble the tofu to desired consistency in a small bowl using your hands.
    • Add the all the other ground tofu ingredients and stir until well combined.
    • Transfer the crumbles to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 20 minutes for a still soft tofu or 25-30 minutes for a more firm texture. Stir every couple of minutes to ensure even baking.

    Bolognese Sauce

    • Make the sauce while the crumbled tofu is in the oven.
    • Heat some olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, celery and garlic and saute until onion is translucent.
    • Add all the other sauce ingredients and let simmer uncovered on low for 20-25 minutes (or until veggies are soft), stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
    • Add the tofu ground beef to your pasta sauce, let simmer for another 3 minutes and serve over pasta of choice.
    Pssst...You can find detailed step-by step-photos right above this recipe card

    Video

    Notes

      • Tofu: Use high quality chunks of tofu, organic if possible.
      • Adjust texture by breaking the tofu into larger or smaller crumbles.
      • Simmer the sauce: Letting the sauce simmer for a while will help the flavors meld together and soften the veggies.
      • Finely dice veggies: Finley dice celery and carrots to ensure that they are soft after 25 minutes. If they are still raw, add a splash of veggie broth and continue cooking until tender.
      • Top with fresh herbs: Adding fresh basil, oregano or fresh parsley can brighten up the flavor of the sauce.
      Nutritional values calculated without pasta.

      Nutrition

      Serving: 1. | Calories: 478kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g | Monounsaturated Fat: 16g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 1588mg | Potassium: 659mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 16810IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 318mg | Iron: 5mg
      All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates.
      Tried this recipe?Leave a rating and comment telling us how you liked it! Or tag @wholefoodsoulfood__kitchen on Instagram so we can admire your creations!

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      katie author of WSK

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