Meat-free Mondays or vegan lifestyles doesn’t mean you have to ditch a hearty spaghetti bolognese.

Let us introduce the best-ever plant-based bolognese recipe thanks to v2food.

For flexitarians or the foodie-curious a life without meat, or more specifically, without a sensational and easy spaghetti bolognese seems just too difficult to imagine. But think again.

This seriously convincing and scrumptious plant-based spaghetti bolognese recipe is jam-packed with veggies, nutrients and flavour.

v2food is a plant-based meat alternative that looks, cooks and tastes like meat! You can grab v2mince in 250g portions ($5) or 750g portions ($11) from more than 800 Coles stores across Australia.

So what are you waiting for? Kick-start your meat-free Mondays now with this delicious plant-based spaghetti bolognese.


Cooking time: 45 minutes | Difficulty: Easy  | Servings: 4


INGREDIENTS

Extra virgin olive oil
Garlic, finely chopped
One onion, diced
2 medium-sized carrots, diced
Italian tomatoes, tinned
500g v2mince
1 cup vegetable stock
Fresh basil leaves
Fresh oregano
Cracked black pepper
Bay leaf
Sea salt
Red wine (optional)
Parmesan (optional, omit if plant-based)

METHOD

1. Place a large saucepan on medium heat and add a generous drizzle of olive oil. Add the finely chopped onions, carrots and garlic cloves, season with salt and pepper and then fry for about 5-7 minutes, or until the vegetables soften and begin to caramelise.

2. Create some room in the pan for the v2mince and add to the dish along with a little salt and pepper seasoning. Stir this into the pan, breaking it up as you go, for about 4-5 minutes or until it browns.

3. Add in the tinned tomatoes (diced or whole) to the pan followed by a small pour of red wine (optional) for depth of flavour, followed by the vegetable stock.

4. Next, add the fresh herbs and the dried bay leaf to the pan and stir with a wooden spoon. Break up the tomatoes if required, mix through and allow the sauce to reduce.

5. Meanwhile bring a separate pot of water to the boil for your pasta. Once it’s ready, add a pinch of salt and then add the spaghetti. Keep the v2 Bolognese sauce on medium heat in the other pan.

6. Once the pasta is al dente, transfer it directly to the pan with the bolognese. Mix it all through until the sauce generously coats the pasta before dividing it into bowls to serve.

7. Top with grated parmesan (optional) and fresh basil.


Looking for other plant-based eats and drinks? Be sure to flick through our top 5 vegan cookbooks for some more inspiration. Or why not pair your plant-based spaghetti bolognese with this delicious Australian vegan wine.

Feature image supplied.