There's something incredibly comforting about a bowl of pasta topped with a hearty sauce. This mushroom bolognese recipe replaces traditional ground meat with fresh mushrooms for a vegetarian twist on the Italian classic. The mushrooms give the sauce a rich, earthy flavor that pairs wonderfully with the robust tomato sauce and aromatic Italian seasoning. It's a flavorful delight that's sure to satisfy your pasta cravings.
The ingredients in this recipe are mostly pantry staples, but you may need to pick up a few items from your local grocery store. The key ingredient is fresh mushrooms - you can use a variety like cremini, shiitake, or portobello. You'll also need a good quality red wine, which adds depth and richness to the sauce. Though Italian seasoning is a common ingredient in most kitchens, if you don't have it on hand, you can make your own by combining herbs like oregano, thyme, and basil.
Ingredients for Mushroom Bolognese Pasta
Pasta: The backbone of the dish, it serves as the base to which our rich sauce will cling.
Butter: Adds a silky, rich base to the sauce.
White onion: Gives the sauce a flavorful foundation.
Carrot and celery: These veggies add a traditional mirepoix base to the sauce, providing a complex, layered taste.
Garlic: Infuses the sauce with its unique aromatic flavor.
Fresh mushrooms: The star ingredient, they give the sauce a meaty texture and deep umami flavor.
Red wine: Adds depth to the sauce and helps to deglaze the pan, lifting those flavorful brown bits off the bottom.
Vegetable stock and tomato sauce: They form the liquid base for our sauce, with the tomato sauce bringing a tangy sweetness.
Bay leaf and Italian seasoning: They infuse the sauce with warm, aromatic flavors.
Red pepper: Adds a hint of heat.
Salt and pepper: Essential for bringing out the flavors of the other ingredients.
Parmesan cheese: Adds a salty, nutty finish to the dish.
One reader, Dita Sheffield says:
This mushroom bolognese recipe is a game-changer! The blend of mushrooms, wine, and Italian seasoning creates a rich and savory sauce that's perfect for pasta. The flavors are so satisfying, and it's a great way to sneak in some extra veggies. I'll definitely be making this again!
Essential Techniques for Making Mushroom Bolognese
How to sauté vegetables: Sauté the onion, carrot, and celery in butter over medium-high heat until softened and mostly cooked through. Then add the garlic and mushrooms and continue cooking until the mushrooms are browned and the vegetables are completely cooked through.
How to deglaze with wine: Pour in the red wine and stir the mixture, allowing it to come to a boil and simmer for 2-3 minutes until the wine is reduced by about half.
How to simmer the sauce: After adding the vegetable stock, tomato sauce, bay leaf, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, let the mixture come to a simmer. Then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for about 10 minutes to slightly reduce the sauce.
How to season to taste: Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with extra salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and/or crushed red pepper as needed.
How to toss pasta with sauce: Once the pasta is cooked and drained, combine it with the sauce and toss until well combined.
How to garnish with parmesan: Serve the mushroom bolognese over pasta, garnishing generously with grated parmesan cheese.
How To Make Mushroom Bolognese
A wonderfully hearty dish without the meat! A decadent mushroom bolognese that sure tastes like a meaty dish with a full depth of flavor!
Serves:
Ingredients
- 1lbdry pasta
- 2tbspbutter(or olive oil)
- 1white onionsmall, peeled and diced
- 1carrotlarge, peeled and diced
- 2ribscelerydiced
- 4garlic clovespeeled and minced
- 1lbassorted fresh mushroomsdiced
- ⅔cupred wine
- 1⅔cupsvegetable stock
- 15oztomato sauce
- 1bay leaf
- 1tspItalian seasoning
- 1pinchred peppercrushed
- Kosher salt
- black pepperfreshly ground
- Parmesan cheese(for topping)
Instructions
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Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water al dente according to package instructions. Drain.
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Meanwhile, in a separate large saute pan, add the butter and cook over medium-high heat until melted.
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Add the onion, carrot and celery and saute for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened and mostly cooked through.
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Add the garlic and mushrooms and continue cooking for an additional 4 to 5 minutes until the mushrooms are browned, and all of the vegetables are completely cooked through.
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Pour in the wine, and give the mixture a good stir.
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Let the mixture come to a boil and simmer for about 2 to 3 minutes, or until the wine is reduced by about half.
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Add in the vegetable stock, tomato sauce, bay leaf, Italian seasoning, and a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Stir to combine. Let the mixture continue cooking until it comes to simmer.
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Then reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer uncover for about 10 minutes so that it slightly reduces.
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Taste, and season with extra salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and/or crushed red pepper if needed.
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Once the pasta is cooked and drained, combine it with the sauce and toss until combined. Serve immediately, garnished generously with Parmesan.
Recipe Notes
Vegan Alternative: Omit the cheese if making this vegan.
Nutrition
- Calories: 392.00kcal
- Fat: 5.61g
- Saturated Fat: 2.75g
- Trans Fat: 0.16g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 1.19g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.83g
- Carbohydrates: 68.31g
- Fiber: 5.52g
- Sugar: 7.81g
- Protein: 13.80g
- Cholesterol: 10.18mg
- Sodium: 845.81mg
- Calcium: 59.94mg
- Potassium: 779.05mg
- Iron: 2.67mg
- Vitamin A: 138.95µg
- Vitamin C: 10.07mg
Pro Tip for Perfecting Your Mushroom Bolognese
When sautéing the onion, carrot, and celery, make sure to cut them into similar-sized pieces. This ensures that they cook evenly and at the same rate. Similarly, when adding the mushrooms, ensure they are sliced evenly too. This not only improves the texture of your mushroom bolognese but also allows the flavors to meld together more effectively.
Time-Saving Tips for Preparing This Recipe
Prep ahead: Chop the vegetables and mushrooms in advance to save time during the cooking process.
Use a food processor: Use a food processor to quickly chop the vegetables and mushrooms for the bolognese sauce.
One-pot cooking: Consider using a large pot to cook the pasta and a sauté pan to prepare the bolognese simultaneously to save time.
Multi-task: While the sauce is simmering, use that time to cook the pasta and prepare any additional side dishes.
Leftover magic: This bolognese sauce tastes even better the next day, so consider making it ahead of time and reheating it when needed.
Quick cleanup: Clean as you go to minimize the post-cooking cleanup time.
Fresh vs. pre-cut: Consider using pre-cut vegetables and pre-sliced mushrooms to save time on prep work.
Substitute Ingredients For Mushroom Bolognese Recipe
butter - Substitute with olive oil: Olive oil can add a rich flavor and works well as a substitute for butter in savory dishes.
white onion - Substitute with yellow onion: Yellow onions have a slightly stronger flavor and can be used as a substitute for white onions in most recipes.
carrot - Substitute with parsnip: Parsnips have a similar earthy sweetness to carrots and can be used as a substitute in this recipe.
celery - Substitute with fennel: Fennel has a similar crunchy texture and a hint of licorice flavor, making it a good substitute for celery in this recipe.
garlic cloves - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can be used as a substitute for fresh garlic cloves, providing a similar flavor in the dish.
assorted fresh mushrooms - Substitute with rehydrated dried mushrooms: Rehydrated dried mushrooms can provide a concentrated flavor and meaty texture similar to fresh mushrooms in the bolognese sauce.
red wine - Substitute with beef broth: Beef broth can add depth and richness to the sauce, similar to the flavor profile of red wine.
vegetable stock - Substitute with chicken stock: Chicken stock can add savory depth to the sauce and complement the other flavors in the dish.
tomato sauce - Substitute with canned crushed tomatoes: Canned crushed tomatoes can be used as a substitute for tomato sauce, providing a chunkier texture and robust tomato flavor.
bay leaf - Substitute with thyme: Thyme can add a subtle earthy and floral flavor, similar to the aromatic quality of bay leaves.
Italian seasoning - Substitute with dried basil and oregano: A combination of dried basil and oregano can replicate the Italian seasoning blend, providing a similar herbaceous flavor.
red pepper - Substitute with paprika: Paprika can add a mild, smoky flavor and a touch of color, similar to the subtle heat of red pepper.
kosher salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can be used as a substitute for kosher salt, providing a similar level of salinity in the dish.
black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper can be used as a substitute for black pepper, offering a milder and slightly different flavor profile.
parmesan cheese - Substitute with pecorino Romano cheese: Pecorino Romano cheese has a similar salty and nutty flavor to Parmesan and can be used as a substitute in this recipe.
How to Beautifully Present This Bolognese Recipe
Elevate the plating: When presenting the mushroom bolognese, focus on creating an elegant and refined plating. Use clean lines and minimalistic design to showcase the beauty of the dish.
Incorporate fresh herbs: Garnish the dish with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or basil to add a pop of color and a burst of fresh flavor.
Utilize high-quality tableware: Choose sophisticated and high-quality plates and utensils to serve the dish. Opt for minimalist designs that allow the mushroom bolognese to take center stage.
Consider the visual balance: Pay attention to the visual balance of the dish. Arrange the pasta and sauce thoughtfully on the plate, ensuring an appealing and harmonious presentation.
Add a touch of luxury: Consider adding a drizzle of truffle oil or a shaving of truffle to elevate the dish and add a luxurious touch that will impress the judges.
Emphasize texture: Create visual interest by incorporating a variety of textures. Consider adding a delicate sprinkle of toasted breadcrumbs for a subtle crunch.
Highlight the sauce: Use a technique to elegantly drizzle the sauce over the pasta, creating a visually stunning presentation that showcases the richness and depth of the bolognese.
Incorporate edible flowers: Introduce a touch of elegance by delicately placing a few edible flowers, such as nasturtiums or violas, to add a sophisticated and visually stunning element to the dish.
Attention to detail: Pay close attention to the finer details, such as wiping the edges of the plate to ensure a clean presentation, and ensuring that each element of the dish is meticulously placed.
Create a focal point: Consider creating a focal point on the plate by artfully arranging the pasta and mushrooms to draw the eye and create a visually captivating presentation.
Essential Kitchen Tools for Making Mushroom Bolognese
- Large pot: For boiling the pasta.
- Saute pan: Used for sautéing the vegetables and mushrooms.
- Wooden spoon: For stirring the ingredients while cooking.
- Colander: To drain the cooked pasta.
- Grater: For grating the parmesan cheese.
- Measuring cups and spoons: To accurately measure the ingredients.
- Knife: For chopping the vegetables and mushrooms.
- Cutting board: To provide a stable surface for chopping and preparing ingredients.
- Cooking pot: For simmering the sauce.
- Tongs: For tossing the pasta with the sauce.
- Cheese grater: For grating the parmesan cheese.
Storing and Freezing Mushroom Bolognese for Later
- Let the mushroom bolognese cool completely before storing or freezing.
- To store in the refrigerator, transfer the cooled sauce to an airtight container and keep it refrigerated for up to 4-5 days.
- When ready to serve, reheat the sauce in a saucepan over medium heat until warmed through, stirring occasionally. You may need to add a splash of vegetable stock or water to thin out the sauce if it has thickened during storage.
- To freeze the bolognese sauce:
- Portion the cooled sauce into freezer-safe containers or resealable bags, leaving some space at the top for expansion.
- Label the containers or bags with the date and contents.
- Place them in the freezer and store for up to 3 months.
- To thaw frozen mushroom bolognese, transfer the container to the refrigerator and let it thaw overnight.
- Reheat the thawed sauce in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. Add a little vegetable stock or water if needed to achieve the desired consistency.
- Avoid freezing the sauce with the pasta, as the texture of the pasta may become mushy upon thawing and reheating. Instead, cook fresh pasta when you're ready to serve the reheated bolognese sauce.
How To Reheat Leftover Mushroom Bolognese
Reheat the leftover mushroom bolognese in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until it's heated through. This method ensures that the sauce is evenly heated and prevents it from burning or sticking to the bottom of the pan. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of vegetable stock or water to thin it out.
For a quick and easy reheating option, transfer the leftover mushroom bolognese to a microwave-safe dish and cover it with a damp paper towel. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the sauce is heated through. Be careful not to overheat the sauce, as it can cause the mushrooms to become rubbery.
If you have leftover pasta as well, you can reheat both the pasta and the mushroom bolognese together. Place the pasta in a colander and dip it in boiling water for 30 seconds to 1 minute, until it's heated through. Drain the pasta and toss it with the reheated mushroom bolognese sauce.
For a crispy twist, transfer the leftover mushroom bolognese to an oven-safe dish, sprinkle some grated parmesan cheese on top, and place it under the broiler for 2-3 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly. This method adds a nice crust to the top of the sauce and intensifies the flavors.
If you have a lot of leftover mushroom bolognese, consider freezing it for later use. Allow the sauce to cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container or resealable plastic bag. When you're ready to use it, thaw the sauce in the refrigerator overnight and reheat it using one of the methods mentioned above.
Interesting Trivia About Mushroom Bolognese
Mushroom bolognese is a vegetarian twist on the classic Italian meat sauce, using mushrooms to create a rich and hearty flavor.
Is Making Mushroom Bolognese at Home Cost-Effective?
This mushroom bolognese recipe offers a cost-effective option for households. The use of assorted fresh mushrooms and vegetable stock makes it a budget-friendly choice. The addition of red wine and parmesan cheese may slightly increase the cost, but these ingredients can be used sparingly to maintain affordability. Overall, this recipe rates a solid 8 for cost-effectiveness. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people is around $15-$20, making it an economical and satisfying meal option.
Is Mushroom Bolognese Healthy or Unhealthy?
This mushroom bolognese recipe has both healthy and unhealthy aspects. Let's break it down:
Healthy elements:
- The recipe is packed with vegetables like onion, carrot, celery, garlic, and mushrooms, providing essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber
- Mushrooms are a great source of protein and can help maintain a healthy weight
- The use of vegetable stock instead of beef or chicken stock makes it suitable for vegetarians and reduces the saturated fat content
Unhealthy aspects:
- The recipe calls for butter, which is high in saturated fat and can contribute to heart disease if consumed in excess
- The inclusion of red wine and tomato sauce adds to the overall calorie count
- Depending on the type of pasta used, it may be high in refined carbohydrates, which can cause blood sugar spikes and contribute to weight gain if consumed in large quantities
To make this recipe healthier, consider the following suggestions:
- Replace the butter with a healthier alternative like olive oil, which is rich in monounsaturated fats and has anti-inflammatory properties
- Opt for whole wheat pasta instead of regular pasta to increase the fiber content and reduce the glycemic index
- Reduce the amount of red wine used or substitute it with a low-sodium vegetable broth to cut down on calories and alcohol content
- Add more vegetables to the recipe, such as zucchini, bell peppers, or spinach, to boost the nutrient profile and fiber content
- Use a low-sodium tomato sauce or make your own using fresh tomatoes to control the salt content
- Garnish with fresh herbs like basil or parsley instead of relying solely on parmesan cheese for flavor
Editor's Opinion on This Delightful Mushroom Dish
This mushroom bolognese recipe is a delightful vegetarian twist on the classic Italian dish. The combination of assorted fresh mushrooms, red wine, and vegetable stock creates a rich and savory sauce that pairs perfectly with the pasta. The use of Italian seasoning and garlic adds depth of flavor, while the addition of parmesan cheese provides a satisfying finish. This recipe is a wonderful way to enjoy a comforting and hearty meal, and it's sure to impress even the most discerning of palates. Buon appetito!
Enhance Your Mushroom Bolognese Recipe with These Unique Side Dishes:
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Why trust this Mushroom Bolognese Recipe:
This #food# recipe offers a #delicious# and #healthy# twist on the classic bolognese. With a rich blend of #mushrooms#, #red wine#, and #vegetable stock#, it promises a #flavorful# and #satisfying# meal. The use of #fresh# ingredients and #Italian seasoning# ensures an authentic taste. Plus, the step-by-step instructions make it easy for anyone to recreate this #restaurant-quality# dish at home. Trust in the #quality# and #expertise# behind this recipe, and enjoy a #mouthwatering# #culinary# experience.
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