Cauliflower Bolognese Recipe (2024)

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Cauliflower Bolognese-this hearty and healthy bolognese is made with cauliflower and lentils. Even meat lovers will enjoy this rich and delicious bolognese sauce.

Cauliflower Bolognese Recipe (1)

Utah has been getting pounded with snow this winter. Josh is loving the snow becausehe has had some pretty epic ski days on the mountain, but I am kind of over it. I enjoyed the first few snow storms, but I am ready for the snow to go! I do want to thank the snow for my comfort food cravings. The snow MADE me make this amazing CauliflowerBolognese Sauce. I was craving a big old bowl of pasta and this cauliflower bolognesewas the perfect sauce to top off my spaghetti.

Cauliflower Bolognese Recipe (2)

On one of our many snow days, I turned on the fireplace and snuggled up with Emilie’s cookbook, The Clever Cookbook. I was flipping through the book and spotted a Cauliflower Bolognese recipe and knew I had to make it for dinner. Iwas already craving pasta andI LOVEcauliflower so I was sold. It sounded so good!

Cauliflower Bolognese Recipe (3)

If you are a traditionalist and are thinking, cauliflower in my bolognese, what??? Think cauliflower in my bolognese, YES! It is SO good! There are also lentils in the sauce which make it super hearty and give the sauce a niceprotein boost. The cauliflower is chopped really small so you don’t even know it is there. The cauliflower and lentils give the sauce a nice, meaty texture without any meat. I changed the recipe a bit by adding balsamic vinegar, some herbs and spices, and a pinch of sugar to cut the acidity.

I served the Cauliflower Bolognese over whole wheat spaghetti and added fresh basil and Parmesan cheese.

Cauliflower Bolognese Recipe (4)

Oh my goodness, this sauce is life changing, seriously! My meat loving boys even loved it. They had no clue it was made with cauliflower and lentils and I wasn’t about to tell them:) Shhh, that is our little secret:) Maxwell loved it so much he was yelling bolognYAYse…ha!

The bolognese sauce has SO much flavor. The addition of balsamic vinegarreally made the sauce rich and delicious. Don’t skip it! This bolognese would also be good with zoodles, spaghetti squash, quinoa, rice, on toast, or with roasted vegetables, chicken…just about everything!

I put somesauce in the freezer, it will come in handy if we keep having these cold, snowy days. Cauliflower Bolognese is the perfect healthy comfort food, you’ve gotta try it.

Cauliflower Bolognese Recipe (5)


Cauliflower Bolognese Recipe (6)

Vegetarian

You will never know this hearty bolognese is meatless. It is SO good!

4.91 from 32 votes

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Cuisine American

Servings 8

Ingredients

  • 1 small head cauliflower
  • 2 tablespoons butter (olive oil for vegan)
  • 1 cup choppedyellow onions
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 28ozcans whole plum tomatoes in thick puree
  • 1/2 cup red lentils
  • 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon minced fresh thyme
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Dash of crushed red pepper
  • Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 lb spaghetti or other pasta (can use gluten-free pasta, zoodles, or spaghetti squash)
  • Chopped fresh basil and grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (omit cheese for vegan)

Instructions

  • Slice the cauliflower in half, removing the thick center core. Cut into large chunks.

  • Using a food processor,break up the cauliflower into florets. Do this in batches to create uniform pieces. Pulse the cauliflower two times until it looks crumbly with a few small florets. Put cauliflower in a bowl and repeat. If you don't have a food processor, you can finely chop the cauliflower into pieces.

  • In a large heavy-bottomed pot, heat the butter or olive oil over low heat. Add the onions and cookuntil soft, about 3-5 minutes.

  • Add the cauliflower to the pot. Increase the heat to medium and continue to cook stirring occasionally until the cauliflower begins to lose its shape and takes on a light golden color, about 10-12minutes. Add the garlicand cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

  • Pour in the tomatoes, red lentils, balsamic vinegar, sugar, thyme, basil, oregano, crushed red pepper, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.

  • Place the lid on top and bring the sauce to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer with the lid onfor about 30 minutes. Remove the lid and cook for an additional 15 minutes or until the cauliflower is soft and lentils are broken down. The sauce should be thick. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Serve pasta with cauliflower bolognese sauce. Garnish with fresh basil and Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve warm.

  • Note-If you don't have whole plum tomatoes, you can use diced or crushed tomatoes. The cauliflower bolognese will keep in the refrigerator for up to one week. It will freeze in a freezer container for up to 2 months. Make sure the sauce is completely cooled before freezing. This sauce is also great with zucchini noodles, rice, or quinoa.

Nutrition

Calories: 328kcal, Carbohydrates: 61g, Protein: 13g, Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 8mg, Sodium: 200mg, Potassium: 682mg, Fiber: 8g, Sugar: 8g, Vitamin A: 208IU, Vitamin C: 47mg, Calcium: 74mg, Iron: 3mg

Have you tried this recipe?

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Cauliflower Bolognese Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do you make bolognese even better? ›

6 Things That'll Make Your Spaghetti Bolognese Taste SO Much...
  1. Milk. Adding milk to Bolognese is actually a part of the traditional method. ...
  2. Sundried Tomatoes. I can't get enough of sundried toms, and I have been known to sneak a few straight from the jar (boujee snack alert). ...
  3. Anchovies. ...
  4. Wine. ...
  5. Porcini mushrooms. ...
  6. Sugar.
Nov 20, 2019

How do you get rich flavor in bolognese? ›

For the bolognese all spice, cinnamon, and garlic powder really enhance the flavor of the meat. For the tomato sauce, fresh basil, bay leaves, and dried oregano are my herbs of choice, but feel free to mix it up! You can use dried basil, generic Italian seasoning, parsley, thyme.

Why does my bolognese sauce taste bland? ›

Your spaghetti sauce may taste bland due to insufficient seasoning. Try adding more salt, herbs (like basil, oregano, or thyme), and other flavor enhancers like garlic, onion, or red pepper flakes. Also, a dash of sugar can balance flavors and bring out the natural sweetness of tomatoes.

How to make bolognese sauce Gordon Ramsay? ›

Spaghetti Bolognese Gordon Ramsay Style
  1. Meat. • 500 g Beef mince, lean.
  2. Canned goods. • 2 tbsp Tomato puree.
  3. Condiments. • 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce.
  4. Pasta & grains. • 300 g Spaghetti, dried.
  5. Baking & spices. • 1 pinch Salt and black pepper.
  6. Oils & vinegars. • 1 tbsp Olive oil.
  7. Dairy. • 4 tbsp Whole milk.
  8. Beer, wine & spirits.

What thickens a bolognese? ›

As the sauce simmers, the water in it will evaporate and the sauce will get thicker. You can also add a little bit of cornstarch to the sauce to thicken it without changing the flavor. If you don't mind altering the sauce's flavor, try adding grated cheese, tomato paste, or even mashed potatoes to thicken it.

What does adding milk to Bolognese sauce do? ›

According to our Food Director Amira, not only does milk add a rich flavour to the bolognese, but it also “helps cut through the acidity of the tomatoes and red wine”. She adds: “It also makes the mince meat nice and tender, creating that melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness.”

What does sugar do in bolognese sauce? ›

The reason for sprinkling a pinch of sugar into a simmering saucepan of tomatoes is simple: sugar cuts the acidity of the tomatoes and creates an overall more balanced sauce. The exact acid levels in tomatoes can vary quite a bit depending on whether they're fresh or canned, the tomato variety, and the time of year.

What herbs go well in bolognese? ›

What Goes into Bolognese Spices?
  • Oregano. Oregano just tastes like Italy. ...
  • Basil. Sweet Italian basil gives Italian food its personality despite being a North African and Southeast Asian herb. ...
  • Celery Salt. ...
  • Cracked Black Pepper. ...
  • Tomato Flakes. ...
  • Minced Onion. ...
  • Garlic Granules. ...
  • Thyme.

Does bolognese taste better if you cook it longer? ›

Like most recipes the longer you leave it to slowly cook the better the flavour will be but this can also be knocked up with in an hour.

How long should you simmer bolognese? ›

Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring often, until mixture cooks down into a thick sauce, at least 3 hours but preferably 4 to 6 hours. Skim fat from the top of sauce if desired. Add more water if sauce is too thick. Taste and adjust seasonings before serving.

Does garlic go in bolognese? ›

Method. Put a large saucepan on a medium heat and add 1 tbsp olive oil. Add 4 finely chopped bacon rashers and fry for 10 mins until golden and crisp. Reduce the heat and add the 2 onions, 2 carrots, 2 celery sticks, 2 garlic cloves and the leaves from 2-3 sprigs rosemary, all finely chopped, then fry for 10 mins.

What stock to use in bolognese? ›

You can use beef stock instead of the cube!! This is my quick and easy cheat's version!! This is my own version of the classic Spag Bol sauce!! It is very easy to prepare and takes 40 mins to cook!!

Do Italians put sugar in Bolognese sauce? ›

Usually no. But putting (a very small bit) of sugar or even a tiny pinch of baking soda in the tomato sauce can help if it is too acidic, but this is only done if the person cooking it is really in a rush.

What's the difference between Ragu and Bolognese sauce? ›

Even though both are considered meat sauces and are thusly chunky, ragù is more like a thick tomato sauce with recognizable bits of ground beef within it. Bolognese, though, is creamier and thicker because it is made with milk. It is not considered to be a tomato sauce.

What are the ingredients of Italian Bolognese sauce? ›

Ingredients
  1. 2 tablespoons olive oil.
  2. 1 large onion, minced.
  3. 4 slices bacon, cut into 1/2 inch pieces.
  4. 1 clove garlic, minced.
  5. 1 pound lean ground beef.
  6. ½ pound ground pork.
  7. 1 (28 ounce) can Italian plum tomatoes.
  8. ½ pound fresh mushrooms, sliced.
Nov 4, 2023

Is bolognese better the longer you cook it? ›

Never rush a bolognese, good things take time. Cooking it for anything less than an hour is seen as rushed. We recommend 1.5 – 2 hours cooking time, or as much time you can spare the better.

Why don't you put garlic in bolognese? ›

Unfortunately for garlic lovers, it has no place in a traditional bolognese as the dish doesn't usually involve aromatics - it rarely even involves a bayleaf.

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