My Tofu Bolognese recipe is a quick, easy and surprisingly delicious pasta dish. The tofu pasta sauce is made with roasted tofu and mushrooms which add an addictive umami depth of flavor. This vegan bolognese sauce is filling, nutritious and ideal for any family looking to eat more meat-free meals.
Tofu is a plant based protein which is great for absorbing flavor, making it the perfect addition to this vegan pasta sauce. I add extra layers of flavor to the tofu spaghetti bolognese with tamari, a rich soy sauce and also nutritional yeast.
This is a tofu "ground beef" recipe, where I roast small pieces of extra firm tofu in the oven to make a meat-free ground beef alternative. However, with all the other flavors added to the vegan bolognese sauce, meat eaters wont even notice they're not eating meat.
In fact I find that with tofu spaghetti, the kids don't notice what they're eating, they're just happy to be eating spaghetti and sauce.
Why You'll Love This Tofu Bolognese
- This is a naturally dairy free and vegan pasta with tofu recipe.
- Tofu pasta sauce is packed full of flavor, can be enjoyed by the whole family and makes a great meat-free dinner.
- Make gluten free tofu bolognese by swapping regular spaghetti for a gluten free alternative.
- With only 10 minutes hands of prep time, this tofu pasta recipe can be on the table in 30 minutes.
- If you enjoy vegetable based pasta dishes, try these great tasting recipes:
Tofu Bolognese Ingredients
Find the full list and quantities in the recipe card below.
Tofu - I use an extra firm block of tofu which I dry, crumble and roast before adding to the tofu tomato sauce.
Tamari - A gluten free Japanese soybean sauce. I use it as it has great depth of flavor. If you don't need to follow a gluten free diet you could swap it for regular soy sauce.
Nutritional Yeast - I use nutritional yeast which provides an umami flavor to savory dishes, ideal in this tofu bolognese sauce.
Mushrooms - you can use any variety of mushroom, but my preference is cremini mushrooms as they have the best flavor and firmer texture than white mushrooms.
Vegan Parmesan - as this is a vegan bolognese sauce, I've used a vegan parmesan cheese. However, you can use vegetarian parmesan or regular parmesan if dairy is acceptable.
Pasta - I've used spaghetti, but you can use any shape of al dente pasta noodle with this tofu pasta sauce.
How to Make Tofu Bolognese - Step-By-Step
Find the full printable recipe below.
Toss crumbled tofu in a mix of tamari, nutritional yeast and chili powder.
Spread the tofu out on a sheet pan in an even layer and roast in the oven for 15 minutes until golden brown.
Meanwhile make the tomato sauce by sautéing onions in olive oil until softened. Then stir in the sliced mushrooms, season well and cook for a further 5 minutes.
Stir in the garlic, season again, then add the canned tomatoes and tomato paste. Stir and simmer for around 10 minutes to allow the flavors to come together.
Whilst the sauce simmers and the tofu cumbles finish roasting, cook the pasta according to the packet instructions. Drain and reserve ½ cup of pasta water.
When the tomato sauce has thickened add in the roasted tofu and stir well.
Add the drained pasta, toss well to make sure all the pasta is coated. Add a splash or two of pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed.
Serve with grated parmesan cheese and chopped parsley.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is tofu?
Tofu is a plant-based protein, also know as soy bean curd. It is made by curdling soy milk, to form soy bean curds that are then pressed into a solid block. It comes in various degrees of softness, from silken tofu which is very soft, through to extra firm tofu which I've used in this recipe.
How can I make tofu more flavorful?
On it's own tofu does not have much flavor, which makes it a great carrier of other flavors. I like to use lots of herbs and spices when cooking tofu. Flavorings like tamari, miso and sesame or chili oils also work well too.
Do I have to press tofu before using?
For this vegan bolognese recipe there is no need to press the tofu, as it's patted dry and then roasted in the oven. This dries it out and helps intensify it's flavor too.
What gives Bolognese its rich flavor?
The rich flavor in this vegan bolognese sauce comes from the extra layers of flavor added to the rich tomato sauce.
As well as canned tomatoes, there's tomato paste, and mushrooms, which add lots of flavor. I then add in extra flavorings like tamari, chili oil and nutritional yeast, which has a great savory umami flavor.
Variations & Substitutions for Tofu Spaghetti Bolognese
- I've used spaghetti but you can use any shape of pasta noodle with this tofu tomato sauce.
- You can swap the tofu with a plant based ground meat alternative.
- If you don't like mushrooms just take them out!
- Feel free to add extra veggies to the pasta sauce, eg bell pepper, zucchini or eggplant.
- For an extra layer of flavor, add a splash of red wine to the tofu pasta sauce.
- A splash of balsamic vinegar is a great option to add a sweeter richness to the sauce.
- Add fresh herbs to the sauce, eg fresh parsley, fresh basil, marjoram or oregano.
- For extra flavor and heat stir through some fresh chili or red pepper flakes.
Tips & Tricks For Making Tofu Bolognese
- Take time to check the seasoning before you serve and adjust if necessary. Salt helps bring out the natural flavors in tomatoes.
- I always like to hold back some of the starchy pasta water. It can be used to make the pasta sauce the right consistency as well as helping to coat the pasta in the sauce, making the dish even richer.
- This sauce is easily doubled up, enjoy some now and freeze the rest for a quick and easy dinner another night.
- To make gluten free tofu bolognese, use a gluten free pasta. Lentil pasta, chickpea pasta or quinoa pasta are great alternatives.
- This is a 30 minute meal, however you will need to follow the recipe and multitask to achieve that.
How To Serve Vegan Tofu Bolognese
I like to serve pasta with a side of crusty bread, some warm focaccia, or garlic bread, which the kids love. I also add a vegetable side, a vibrant summer salad or my Easy Buttered Kale, Green Beans, or Charred Broccolini.
How To Reheat Vegan Bolognese?
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and used within 3-4 days.
To reheat next time, place the pasta into a saucepan, place over a medium heat to warm to piping hot. You can add a splash of water to loosen the sauce if you think its needed.
How to Freeze Tofu Bolognese?
Tofu tomato pasta sauce freezes really well. Once cooked, allow to cool completely, then place the sauce into an airtight container and store in the freezer for us to 3 months. This sauce can be reheated from frozen.
I don't recommend freezing the pasta, as pasta can break down during the freezing and defrosting process. So freeze the sauce and cook the pasta fresh every time.
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More Easy 30 Minute Recipe Ideas
Printable Recipe
Easy Tofu Bolognese with Mushrooms
Ingredients
- 14 oz Extra Firm Tofu - patted dry and crumbled
- 2 tbsp Tamari - or soy sauce
- 2 tbsp Nutritional Yeast (Nooch)
- ½ tsp Chili Powder
- 1½ tbsp Olive Oil - optional
- 1 Onion - finely chopped
- 8 oz Cremini Mushrooms - washed and sliced
- 2 cloves Garlic - minced
- 32 oz Canned Tomato Sauce (Passata)
- 2 tbsp Tomato Paste - or puree
- Sea Salt and Black Pepper
- 1 lb Pasta - of your choice
- 1 tbsp Chopped Parsley - optional
Optional to Serve
- Vegan Parmesan Cheese - finely shredded
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400ºF/200ºC.
- Line a sheet pan with parchment paper for easier clean up.
- Mix together the tamari, nutritional yeast and chili powder in a large bowl.
- Add the crumbled tofu and toss to combine.
- Spread the tofu out on the lined sheet pan in an even layer.
- Roast in the oven for 15 minutes until golden brown, turning once.
- Meanwhile make the tomato sauce by heating the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over a medium-high heat.
- Sauté the onions in the pan until they soften, around 8 minutes.
- Stir in the mushrooms, season with salt and pepper and cook for a further 5 minutes.
- Stir in the garlic and season again.
- Add the canned tomatoes and tomato paste. Stir and simmer for around 10 minutes to allow the flavors to come together.
- Whilst the sauce simmers and the tofu finished roasting, cook the pasta according to the packet instructions. Drain and reserve ½ cup of pasta water.
- When the sauce has thickened add in the roasted tofu and stir well.
- Add the drained pasta to the pan with the sauce. Toss well to make sure all the pasta is coated. Add a splash or two of pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed.
- Serve with grated parmesan cheese and chopped parsley.
Jamie Mortimore says
This tofu bolognese is utterly delicious!! Really great flavor and the mushrooms make it hearty too.