• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Tasty Oven
  • Browse All Recipes
  • Instant Pot
  • Air Fryer
  • Slow Cooker
  • Breadmaker
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Browse All Recipes
  • Instant Pot
  • Air Fryer
  • Slow Cooker
  • Breadmaker
  • Subscribe
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Browse All Recipes
  • Instant Pot
  • Air Fryer
  • Slow Cooker
  • Breadmaker
  • Subscribe
×
Home » Stovetop and Oven Recipes

Vegetarian Bolognese Sauce (No Mushroom)

Published: Aug 27, 2020 · Modified: Jan 9, 2024 by Kristina Tipps · This post may contain affiliate links for which I earn a small commission.

Jump to Recipe

Vegetarian Bolognese Sauce without Mushroom is a bean bolognese sauce made with red wine, mashed kidney beans, tomatoes, carrots, onions, parsley, and garlic. Red wine and tomato juices give it a sweet and savory flavor, while mashed beans give it a thick bolognese texture. This easy bolognese sauce is ready to eat in less than 30 minutes and is an easy way to sneak your family their daily dose of veggies and protein!

vegetarian bolognese sauce without mushrooms
Table Of Contents
  • Ingredients
  • Step-By-Step Directions
  • Recipe
  • Recipe Reviews

This fantastic, quick and easy vegetarian bolognese sauce without mushroom was developed many years ago when my husband was in a physical training academy. We wanted to transform our eating habits and make healthier choices without giving up our favorite foods.

We wanted to eat for energy and give up the unhealthy fats we were consuming. So we found ourselves eating a lot of vegetarian meals to get in as much veggies and fruits as we could. I ended up replacing most of my red meat meals with high protein and high fiber meatless versions, so lots of beans and legumes!

This vegetarian bolognese sauce with no mushrooms was a hit from the first time I made it. It is full of flavor and healthy, whole ingredients. It's a nutritious family meal and a great way to sneak your kids in their daily dose of veggies! Give it a try, I know you'll love it too!

vegetarian bolognese sauce without mushroom
What is Bolognese Sauce?

Traditional bolognese sauce is a meat sauce made with tomato, minced meat, garlic, wine, milk and herbs. It is thick, but not chunky. Some chefs will insist that tomato does not belong in an authentic bolognese sauce, except for the addition of tomato paste for color.

Whether you put tomato in your bolognese sauce or not, one thing should hold true: bolognese sauce is thick and savory and the minced meat is the most abundant part of the sauce. Traditional bolognese sauce is also slow simmered, usually for hours. Today many recipes have cut down the time it takes to less than 60 minutes, and in some cases just 30 minutes.

This recipe for vegetarian bolognese takes less than 30 minutes to make! The perfect bolognese for a quick and easy weeknight dinner! "Non-traditional" bolognese sauces like my vegetarian bolognese, vary in their ingredients but should all consist of the same thick texture. They should use most ingredients that are specific to bolognese to give it a sweet, rich flavor. Let's find out what those ingredients are!

What is Bolognese Sauce Made of?

Traditionally, bolognese sauce is made from a mix of minced beef and pork. Some recipes add veal into the mix or use only beef or only pork. The sauce is made of wine, onions, garlic, celery, carrots, and herbs. Like I mentioned early, whether or not tomatoes are part of bolognese sauce is debatable. Many recipes also call for milk to give it a creamy texture.

Non-traditional recipes may replace the beef, pork, or veal with mushrooms, Italian sausage, or beans. Whether you choose to make your bolognese traditional or not, the key ingredients you should always include are wine, garlic, and herbs.

What is the Difference between Bolognese Sauce and Meat Sauce?

The main differences between a bolognese sauce and an American meat sauce for spaghetti are the ingredients and the texture. American meat and spaghetti sauces mostly use tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oil, onions, garlic, and herbs as their base. Lots of tomato and very little vegetables! Whereas bolognese sauces use just a little tomato and lots of minced meat and a variety of vegetables.

What Should Bolognese Sauce Taste Like?

Bolognese sauce is rich, sweet, and savory. Bolognese with minced meat will taste mostly like the meat. My vegetarian bolognese sauce tastes much like the beans and tomatoes, with a wonderful sweet flavor from the wine.

vegetarian bolognese sauce without mushroom

Most people will say that true bolognese sauce is served over spaghetti pasta, but my favorite is rigatoni or penne. Any pasta will do fine though. Fettuccine is also another favorite.

Ingredients

  • red kidney beans (to replace the traditional minced meat and to give it texture and thickness)
  • garlic
  • onions
  • red wine
  • carrots
  • canned tomatoes and their juices
  • parsley
  • a bay leaf
vegetarian bolognese sauce and rigatoni pasta

Step-By-Step Directions

You can make a vegetarian bolognese sauce quickly and easily, in just 30 minutes! You need 2 pots, 1 for the pasta and 1 for the sauce.

Or, you can make this a 1 pot meal by cooking the pasta first, then using that pot to make the sauce (which will turn this into about a 45 minute dinner).

Here's how to make it:

  1. On medium heat, heat the olive oil in a large pot. Add onions, carrots, and salt. Cover and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. While veggies cook, boil the pasta til al dente.
  2. Add the bay leaf and garlic to the pot of veggies and cook for 1 minute, stirring so the garlic doesn't burn.
  3. Pour in the red wine and simmer for 5 minutes. 
  4. Add tomatoes and their juices, parsley, and mashed beans. Simmer for 5 more minutes.
  5. Remove the bay leaf and add the remaining whole beans. Cook for 1 minute, slightly mashing the sauce to reduce chunkiness. You can use a meat masher or potato masher to do this.

Transfer the rigatoni to serving bowls and top with the sauce.

vegetarian bolognese sauce

Enjoy!

If you enjoyed this recipe, make sure to give it a star rating and let me know what you thought in the comments! And follow me on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for more delicious recipes!

Recipe

vegetarian bolognese sauce without mushrooms

Vegetarian Bolognese Sauce without Mushroom

Kristina Tipps
Vegetarian Bolognese Sauce without Mushroom is a bean bolognese sauce made with red wine, mashed kidney beans, tomatoes, carrots, onions, parsley, and garlic. Red wine and tomato juices give it a sweet and savory flavor, while mashed beans give it a thick bolognese texture.
5 from 5 votes
Bookmark RecipeSaved!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Share Recipe
Prevent your screen from going dark
Prep Time 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes minutes
Total Time 30 minutes minutes
Course Main Course, Sauce
Cuisine Italian
Servings 6
Calories 437 kcal

Ingredients

  • 16 oz rigatoni or other short pasta
  • 4 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 4 carrots chopped
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 28 oz can red kidney beans drained and rinsed
  • 6 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 cup red wine
  • 1 28 oz can diced tomatoes plus their juices
  • 4 teaspoon parsley

Instructions
 

  • Cook the pasta according to the instructions, reserving pasta water for use in sauce.
  • In a large pot, heat the olive oil on medium heat. Add onion, carrot, and salt. Cover and cook for 5 minutes on low heat.
  • Add the bay leaf and garlic to the pot, turn the heat back to medium and cook for 1 minute. Then add red wine and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
  • While the vegetables cook, mash half of the beans.
  • Add the diced tomatoes, mashed beans, and parsley to the pot. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Add remaining whole beans and cook 1 minute more, stirring well. If the sauce is too dry, add reserved pasta water ½ cup at a time. Remove the bay leaf and serve on top of cooked pasta.

Nutrition

Serving: 8ozCalories: 437kcalCarbohydrates: 67gProtein: 11gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gSodium: 521mgPotassium: 518mgFiber: 5gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 6882IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 64mgIron: 2mg
Did you try this recipe?Give a shout out to @tastyovenrecipes or tag #tastyovenrecipes!

RELATED RECIPES

  • french onion soup in a crock
    Red Wine French Onion Soup
  • mashed sweet potatoes in a white bowl
    Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes
  • crockpot mashed cauliflower in a white bowl
    Instant Pot Mashed Cauliflower
  • tortellini in cream sauce in a skillet topped with fresh basil
    Tortellini with Tomato Cream Sauce

Recipes To Try Next

  • tuna nachos in a white plate
    Spicy Tuna Poke Nachos
  • cheese and bean quesadilla slices in a stack on a plate
    Cheese and Bean Quesadillas
  • greek tortellini salad in a white bowl
    Greek Tortellini Salad
  • Mexican street corn tacos on a plate
    Mexican Street Corn Tacos
  • Facebook
  • Flipboard
  • X

Reader Interactions

Comments

No Comments

5 from 5 votes (5 ratings without comment)

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

profile image

Hello, I'm Kristina! I'm here to show you how to take your favorite recipes and adapt them to all your kitchen appliances!

More about me →

What's New

  • tuna nachos in a white plate
    Spicy Tuna Poke Nachos

  • bread machine sunflower seed bread slided on a cutting board
    Bread Machine Sunflower Seed Bread

  • cheese and bean quesadilla slices in a stack on a plate
    Cheese and Bean Quesadillas

  • slow cooker hamburger soup in a white bowl
    Slow Cooker Hamburger Soup

Slow Cooker

  • slow cooker mashed sweet potatoes in a bowl
    Crockpot Mashed Sweet Potatoes

  • slow cooker loaded potato soup topped with chives, bacon and cheddar cheese
    Slow Cooker Loaded Baked Potato Soup

  • apples, oranges and whole seasonings for apple cider in a crockpot
    Slow Cooker Apple Cider

  • slow cooker apple pie filling with ice cream topping
    Best Slow Cooker Apple Pie Filling Recipe

Instant Pot

  • instant pot pumpkin risotto in a serving dish
    Instant Pot Pumpkin Risotto

  • instant pot pumpkin bread in a bundt pan
    Instant Pot Pumpkin Bread

  • instant pot cauliflower mac and cheese in a white bowl
    Instant Pot Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

  • instant pot garlic mashed potatoes in a white bowl topped with butter and black pepper
    Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Trending Now

  • slow cooker loaded potato soup topped with chives, bacon and cheddar cheese
    Slow Cooker Loaded Baked Potato Soup

  • slow cooker mashed sweet potatoes in a bowl
    Crockpot Mashed Sweet Potatoes

  • air fryer baby potatoes with rosemary and spices in a white bowl
    Air Fryer Baby Potatoes

  • mediterranean quesadilla stacked on a plate
    Mediterranean Quesadillas

Footer

About

  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

Newsletter

  • Sign Up for the latest recipes!

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2025 TastyOven.com, LLC.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie SettingsAccept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




Stuck on what to say? Here are some suggestions:

This worked exactly as written, thanks!
My family loved this recipe! We can't wait to make it again.
Thank you for sharing this delicious recipe. It turned out great!
I made a few modifications, but it still turned out wonderful.

Or write in your own words:

A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.