Vegetarian Ground Beef with Tomato Sauce

Satisfy your craving for a hearty and wholesome meal with this Vegetarian Ground Beef with Tomato Sauce, a plant-based twist on a classic comfort food favorite. Packed with protein-rich lentils, earthy mushrooms, and crunchy walnuts, this recipe delivers the perfect texture to mimic traditional ground beef—without the meat! A medley of sautéed onions, bell peppers, and carrots adds a natural sweetness, while garlic and Italian-inspired herbs like oregano and basil infuse the dish with irresistible flavor. Simmered in a rich tomato sauce along with soy sauce for umami depth, this vegetarian delight is as versatile as it is delicious. Perfect as a meatless alternative for pasta, rice, tacos, or wraps, it comes together in just 45 minutes for a quick and satisfying dinner that's sure to impress.

Nutriscore Rating: 84/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
• 1 carrot, grated
• 8 button mushrooms, finely chopped
• 1 cup walnuts, finely chopped
• 1.5 cups cooked lentils
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 14 oz can canned diced tomatoes
• 1 cup vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon salt

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the finely chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic, red bell pepper, and grated carrot. Sauté for another 5 minutes until the vegetables start to soften.

Step 4

Add the finely chopped mushrooms and walnuts. Cook for an additional 5 minutes until the mushrooms release their moisture and start to brown.

Step 5

Stir in the cooked lentils and soy sauce. Mix well to combine all ingredients.

Step 6

Add the tomato paste and stir until it is evenly distributed throughout the mixture.

Step 7

Pour in the canned diced tomatoes and vegetable broth. Stir to combine.

Step 8

Add the dried oregano, dried basil, black pepper, and salt. Stir well.

Step 9

Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat, then reduce the heat to low and let it cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 10

Adjust seasoning to taste before serving.

Step 11

Serve hot with pasta, rice, or use it as a filling for tacos or wraps.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2305.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2013.1

Total Fat 128.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 16.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 6.8g
Cholesterol 7.9mg	0%
Sodium 3557.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 171.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 59.5g	0%
Total Sugars 59.1g
Protein 86.0g	0%

Vitamin D 56IU	0%
Calcium 477.3mg	0%
Iron 24.0mg	0%
Potassium 6603.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 52.9%

Protein: 15.8%

Carbs: 31.3%