Vegetarian Rich Ground Meat Sauce

Experience the hearty comfort of this Vegetarian Rich Ground Meat Sauce, a plant-based twist on a classic favorite that’s bursting with flavor and texture. Made with finely chopped baby bella mushrooms and walnuts, this sauce achieves a rich, meaty consistency that’s perfect for pasta, lasagna, or even as a topping for roasted vegetables. Sautéed aromatic vegetables like onion, carrot, and celery form the flavorful foundation, while a splash of red wine, soy sauce, and herbs like oregano and basil elevate the depth of the sauce. Simmered to perfection with crushed tomatoes and finished with fresh parsley, this wholesome, protein-packed recipe is both satisfying and versatile. Quick to prepare in just an hour, it's a crowd-pleasing option for vegetarians and meat-lovers alike!

Nutriscore Rating: 80/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large, finely chopped onion
• 1 large, finely chopped carrot
• 2 finely chopped celery stalk
• 3 minced garlic cloves
• 8 ounces, finely chopped baby bella mushrooms
• 1 cup, finely chopped walnuts
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
• 0.5 cup red wine
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons, chopped fresh parsley

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

Add the onion, carrot, and celery, and sauté for about 5 minutes until the vegetables are softened.

Step 3

Stir in the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the mushrooms and walnuts to the pan. Cook for about 8-10 minutes, until the mushrooms release their moisture and the mixture becomes browned.

Step 5

Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute, mixing continuously to incorporate it well with the vegetables.

Step 6

Pour in the red wine and soy sauce, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Allow the mixture to simmer and reduce slightly, about 3 minutes.

Step 7

Add the crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine.

Step 8

Reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan, and let the sauce simmer gently for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 9

Taste and adjust the seasonings as needed. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of water to reach the desired consistency.

Step 10

Stir in the fresh parsley before serving.

Step 11

Serve the sauce over pasta or use as desired. Enjoy your delicious vegetarian rich ground meat sauce!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1726.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1579.2

Total Fat 109.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 12.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 59.3g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 3483.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 114.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 32.5g	0%
Total Sugars 58.7g
Protein 43.2g	0%

Vitamin D 15.9IU	0%
Calcium 503.4mg	0%
Iron 15.7mg	0%
Potassium 5625.2mg	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: 61.0%

Protein: 10.7%

Carbs: 28.3%