Quorn Bolognese (Veggie Spag Bol with Quorn)
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This Quorn bolognese recipe is the ultimate veggie spag bol, packed with so many hidden veggies. You can whip this recipe up in around 45 minutes, so it’s perfect to enjoy mid-week after a day of work or studying!
Table of Contents
Why this recipe works
- Quick and Easy: This quorn spag bowl is simple and fast to make due to the fact that the quorn mince doesn’t need to be browned like traditional meat.
- Affordable: Quorn is a cost effective alternative to most meat.
- Rich flavors: This vegetarian spaghetti bolognese tastes just as vibrant as a traditional bolognese without the meat.
- Vegetarian/Vegan: This Quorn Bolognese recipe is considered safe for both vegetarians and vegans.
Check out these other vegetarian meals that would be great for dinner this week; Easy Sauteed Savoy Cabbage, Quorn Chicken Pieces Recipe with Pesto and Vegetables (Meat Free!), Ultimate Vegan Roast Dinner
What is a veggie spag bol?
Veggie spag bol is the unofficial term for a vegetarian spaghetti bowl in England and Australia. In this recipe, I am making this a bolognese spag bol using veggies and Quorn meatless crumbles for an extra punch of protein.
Ingredients
The main ingredients that make this Quorn Bolognese recipe fantastic are the following:
Aubergine
In a regular vegetable bolognese that does not use quorn, aubergine is a great way to give the dish a meaty texture. And even though I am using Quorn in this version, I still love the addition of the Aubergine for both its taste and texture.
Quorn
An amazing substitute to the classic pork/beef/lamb used in traditional Bolognese recipes, Quorn is the perfect addition to this veggie spaghetti bolognese. Perfect for meat-free Mondays!
Plum Tomatoes
I find plum tomatoes to be more flavourful than chopped, but feel free to use chopped tomatoes or passata here.
See the recipe card for full information on all ingredients and quantities.
Substitutes and Variations
If you have been to the grocery lately you probably noticed that there are loads of meat alternatives nowadays. So I wanted to let you know that while I am using Quorn in this veggie bolognese, there are loads of alternatives you can try as an alternative to the Quorn. Here are a few:
- Impossible ground
- Lentils
- Viv era
- Walnuts
- Mushrooms
- Eggplant
- Meatless farm
- Gardein beefless crumbles
Also, if you aren’t a wine person, you can try veggie broth and a splash of balsamic in this sauce instead.
You can also make this meal gluten free by using gluten free pasta and you can make this Quorn bologonese a true spag bowl by switching out the rigatoni for spaghetti noodles.
How to make this recipe
- Prepare the chopped carrot, aubergine and celery (Image 1).
- Add the olive oil and onion to saute in a large saucepan over a medium/low heat for around 3 minutes and add a generous pinch of salt and pepper (Image 2).
3. Add the chopped carrot, aubergine and celery to the pan and continue to fry for around 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper (Image 3).
4. When the carrot begins to soften and the aubergine starts to reduce in size, add the tomato puree, garlic, fresh thyme and mixed herbs (Image 4).
5. Fry for a couple of minutes before adding the plum tomatoes, stock and Quorn mince. Stir to combine and cover with a lid (Image 5).
6. Leave to simmer for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. In the meantime, cook the pasta to two minutes shy of the packet time (Image 6).
7. Once the pasta is cooked and drained, add the cooked rigatoni into the bolognese with a splash of pasta water and continue to cook until al dente (Image 7).
8. Serve with an optional serving of vegetarian grated parmesan and enjoy! (Image 8).
Tips
- Add the tomato puree to add depth of flavour, with the garlic, fresh thyme to make the delicious sauce. This allows the flavours to blend together and stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Cook the Quorn mince from frozen for best results.
- If the sauce becomes too thick, you can add a little water or vegetable stock to thin it out. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed, adding more herbs, salt, or pepper to suit your taste.
- I used rigatoni pasta, but you can choose your favourite pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente.
Try this meat free Lentil bolognese recipe or use Quorn instead of pork mince to make this delicious Creamy Tuscan Inspired Rigatoni
Serving suggestions
I find that this meal is both filling and complete, so it doesn’t really need a side dish. However, sometimes I will add a simple salad or a slice of garlic bread if I am feeling really hungry.
Leftover storage and reheat instructions
Refrigerator: This meal can be stored in the refrigerator for 4-5 days, however I find it is best eaten just after cooking.
Freezer: This is a great meal prep dish since you can freeze it for up to 3 months and it freezes really well.
Reheat: You can either reheat a serving of bolognese in the microwave on high for 2.5 minutes with a splash (tbsp) of water. Or reheat on a low-medium heat on the hob (also with a splash of water) until piping hot.
FAQs
Fake meat crumbles like Quorn are your best bet, but there are plenty of alternatives to choose from such as Impossible ground, Lentils, Viv era, Walnuts, Mushrooms, Eggplant, Meatless Farm, and Gardein Beefless Crumbles.
Carrots, onions, courgette, celery, and mushrooms all go well in spaghetti bolognese.
In a traditional bolognese you would add milk, however this is a vegetarian bolognese so no, you do not have to add milk.
Many people state that Quorn is a great plant-based protein, as it is ‘complete’, meaning quorn supplies all 9 essential amino acids. It’s also said to be a great source of fibre, which means it’ll keep you fuller for longer.
Other tasty pasta recipes for you to try; Gochujang Pasta, Cajun Chicken Pasta and Tortellini Pasta Salad
Explore More Recipes
If you tried this Easy Quorn Bolognese recipe, it would mean so much to me if you could leave a review & a star rating to let me know how you found it! I love hearing about your experiences – it motivates me to keep creating more and more recipes for you guys 💛 Let’s get cooking! – Mimi x
Quorn Bolognese (Veggie Spag Bol)
Ingredients
- 1 onion, finely diced (£0.09)
- 1 aubergine, chopped into small cubes (£0.69)
- 1 carrot, finely diced (£0.09)
- 2 celery sticks, finely diced (£0.46)
- 2 tbsp tomato puree (£0.37)
- 800 g (2 tins) of plum tomatoes (£0.56)
- 300 g Quorn mince (£1.90)
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced (£0.69/3)=(£0.23)
- 1 bunch of fresh thyme, leaves removed from tough stem (£0.50)
- 400 g rigatoni (£0.70)
- Vegetarian Parmesan (optional)
Cupboard Essentials
- 1 tsp mixed herbs
- 400 ml vegetable stock
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt & Pepper
Method
- In a large saucepan over medium/low heat, add the olive oil and onion. Sauté for around 3 minutes. Season with a generous pinch of salt and pepper.
- Next, add the carrot, aubergine, and celery into the pan. Continue to fry for around 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper.
- When the aubergine begins to soften and the carrot starts to soften, add the tomato puree, garlic, fresh thyme, and mixed herbs. Fry for a couple of minutes to release the flavours.
- Add the plum tomatoes, stock, and Quorn mince to the pan. Use your spatula to break the plum tomatoes apart.
- Stir to combine and cover with a lid. Leave to simmer for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Meanwhile, cook the rigatoni until two minutes shy of the packet instructions. Reserve some pasta water before draining.
- Add the rigatoni into the bolognese with a splash of pasta water and continue to cook until al dente. Serve with an optional sprinkle of vegetarian parmesan and enjoy!
- Serve with an optional sprinkle of vegetarian parmesan and enjoy!
Notes
- Fry the tomato puree, garlic, and mixed herbs before adding the liquids; this enhances the flavor.
- Cook Quorn mince from frozen for best results.
- Adjust sauce consistency with water or vegetable stock if it's too thick. Taste and adjust seasoning with herbs, salt, or pepper.
- If you have a preferred pasta, feel freeswitch to your fave!
- Adjust to 500g of pasta for a larger serving of pasta.
Nutrition
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