The Best Vegan Spaghetti
Ingredients
- 4 servings spaghetti or pasta of choice
- 4-5 cups assorted mushrooms
whole is fine as we will be processing them
- 1 heaping cup walnuts
raw, whole
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- 1 large onion
rough chop
- 2 celery ribs
rough chop
- 3 medium-sized carrots
rough chop
- 4 large cloves of garlic
whole
- 1/2 tsp chili flakes
- 1 tsp cinnamon spice
- 1/2 tsp clove spice
- 2 tbsp. dry basil spice
- 1 tbsp. parsley spice
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 1 680 ml bottle of passata - I used organic
- 2 tbsp. vegetable stock paste
- 2-3 cups boiling water
- season to taste
Directions
- 1
Into a food processor place 1/2 of the mushrooms and process until finely ground. Remove mushrooms from the processor and repeat with the other 1/2 of mushrooms. See notes.
- 2
Into the food processor add your walnuts and process till finely ground. Transfer walnuts to the bowl with the mushrooms.
- 3
Into a large soup pot add your olive oil and heat on medium-high heat for around 20 seconds before adding your mushroom and walnut mixture. Cook for around 6-8 minutes, stirring often to avoid burning. Cook until all the liquid has evaporated and the mixture has browned beautifully.
- 4
Into the same food processor add your onion, celery, carrots and garlic. Process till finely ground. See notes.
- 5
Remove the mushroom and walnut mixture from the pot and transfer to a bowl.
- 6
Into the same pot add your onion mixture and cook on medium heat for around 5-6 minutes, or until browned and fragrant. If the mixture starts to sticks to the bottom of the pot simply add a little water bit by bit to help loosen the browned parts. This is a flavour building step, so I highly suggest it if needed.
- 7
To the mixture add your chili flakes, cinnamon, clove, basil, parsley and bay leaf. Stir till well combined. Cook for around 1-2 more minutes.
- 8
Now, push the cooked onions mixture to the sides and makes room for the tomato paste. Cook on its own for a minute or so or until browned. Once browned stir the tomato paste into the onion mixture and transfer your walnut and mushrooms to the pot. See notes.
- 9
Stir till well combined, increase heat and add your passata and vegetable stock paste. Cook for around 5 minutes before adding your water and bringing mixture to a boil.
- 10
Put on your pot lid and simmer for around 25-30 minutes. See notes. Before serving taste for salt and pepper and add as needed.
- 11
Enjoy with your favourite pasta, garnished with parsley and a side of garlic toast!
The Best Vegan Spaghetti
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About this Recipe
Craving a deeply satisfying, hearty pasta dish that's entirely plant-based? This recipe for The Best Vegan Spaghetti delivers a rich, savory experience that will delight vegans and meat-eaters alike.
This recipe truly shines by creating a substantial, "meaty" sauce without a speck of animal product. Instead of relying on common lentils, we build incredible depth and protein with a clever combination of walnuts and assorted mushrooms. This innovative approach yields a robust texture and flavor that truly sets it apart, all cooked conveniently in one pot.
Prepare for a comforting bowl of spaghetti smothered in a deeply flavored, aromatic sauce. The walnuts and mushrooms break down to create a remarkably textured base, infused with the warm spices of chili flakes, cinnamon, and clove, balanced by fresh herbs and a rich tomato passata. This is a robust and savory dish designed to nourish and satisfy, perfect for a cozy weeknight meal or feeding a crowd. It’s an easy-to-make vegan staple that promises big flavor with minimal fuss.
Feel free to experiment with your choice of pasta beyond traditional spaghetti, as any pasta shape will lovingly cradle this rich sauce. For a touch more heat, increase the chili flakes to your preference, or dial them back for a milder flavor. You can also customize the herb profile by adjusting the amounts of dried basil and parsley. While the recipe calls for assorted mushrooms, feel free to focus on your favorites or whatever is freshest at the market.
Serve this generous dish as a standout main course, perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings. A simple green salad or a slice of crusty bread would be a delightful accompaniment to soak up every bit of that amazing sauce.