Quorn Spaghetti Bolognese is a rich, hearty Quorn mince bolognese in a tomato-garlic sauce with basil and Worcestershire sauce for depth. Comforting, meat-free, perfect for weeknights and ready in 30 minutes.
Quorn mince cooks straight from frozen, making it a useful standby meal for busy days. Swapping beef for Quorn is also one of the easiest ways to eat less meat - ideal for meat-free Mondays.
Why this meat-free bolognese recipe is for you!
- Quick : you can have this on the table in just 30 minutes.
- Easy : no fancy ingredients or complicated techniques.
- Cost Effective : Quorn is cheaper than beef mince so great for budgeting.
- Healthy : Quorn is lower in saturated fat than beef mince with just 0.3g per 100g.
- Flexible : serve it with pasta, rice or on a jacket potato.
- Freezer-Friendly : perfect for meal prep and batch cooking.
- Planet-Friendly : Quorn has a much lower carbon footprint than beef and is an easy swap.
Jump to:
- Why this meat-free bolognese recipe is for you!
- Why use Quorn? Quorn mince versus beef.
- Is Quorn Vegan?
- Ingredients
- How to make Quorn Bolognese
- How to Serve
- Quick Tip
- Batch Cooking Tips
- How to cook Quorn Bolognese in a Slow Cooker
- Substitutions & Variations
- Sustainability
- Pro Tip
- How to store Quorn Bolognese
- Troubleshooting and Common Questions
- 📖 Recipe
- 💬 Reviews
Bolognese comes from Italy, but there is no single "traditional" recipe. This plant-based version is simple, uses common ingredients and straightforward and quick to make. For an alternative meat-free bolognese sauce, try my Vegan Red Lentil and Mushroom Bolognese. If you'd like more easy Quorn recipes, check out this Quorn Cottage Pie or Easy Quorn Vegetarian Chilli. If you've got leftovers, use them to make this Quorn Lasagne.
Why use Quorn? Quorn mince versus beef.
There are many benefits to swapping out beef mince for Quorn mince.
- Quorn mince can be cooked straight from frozen!
- It absorbs flavours well so makes a great meat substitute in bolognese sauce, chilli, lasagne and cottage pie.
- It's high in protein, low in saturated fat and contains only 73 calories per serving.
- Once cooked, it can be frozen again, just like meat.
- The carbon footprint of Quorn is about 90% less than beef. As a comparison, 1kg of Quorn produces just 0.5kg of CO2 gases. 1kg of beef, produces 32kg of CO2 gases.
Reducing our meat and dairy intake is a key part of eating sustainably. Using a product such as Quorn is an easy swap. You can still enjoy the same texture as meat but without the high carbon footprint. I've got lots more tips for you on how to easily reduce your meat and dairy intake.
Is Quorn Vegan?
Quorn is not suitable for vegans as it contains rehydrated egg white. You can however buy similar vegan friendly meat-free mince products. In the UK products such as THIS isn't Beef Plant-Based Mince, Meatless Farm Beef Mince, Linda McCartney Vegan Vegemince or Vivera Plant based Mince. In the USA, look for Impossible Beef, which is suitable for vegans as well as Gardein Plant-Based Ground Beef.
Ingredients
This quick bolognese with Quorn uses simple ingredients.
- Quorn Mince - is a great standby and can be cooked from frozen.
- Chopped Tomatoes - use the best quality tinned or canned tomatoes you can afford. Cheaper varieties usually have a higher water content so will make your sauce runnier.
- Passata - adds a smooth, velvety texture.
- Worcestershire Sauce - adds umami and a hint of spice. A traditional version however contains anchovies so isn't suitable for those who don't eat fish. However, vegetarian and vegan versions are widely available. Henderson's Relish is a good alternative and is suitable for vegans.
- Red Wine - (optional) - adds richness, but skip if you prefer.
- Basil - fresh basil works well or you can use 1 teaspoon of dried oregano.
- Spaghetti or pasta of your choice.
- Parmesan or vegan cheese, to serve. Note traditional parmesan cheese is not suitable for vegetarians.
- See the recipe card for quantities.
How to make Quorn Bolognese
Cook the base (5 minutes). Heat the oil in a large pan. Add the onion, carrot and garlic and saute over a medium heat until soft.
Add the Quorn (5 minutes). Stir in the Quorn mince (no need to defrost). Cook for about 5 minutes until heated through.
Build the sauce (15 minutes). Stir in the chopped tomatoes, passata, Worcestershire Sauce, red wine (if using), fresh basil, and season with salt and pepper. Simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Cook the pasta. Meanwhile cook the pasta according to the packet instructions.
How to Serve
Toss the sauce through the pasta and top with parmesan or a vegan cheese and fresh basil. You can use any pasta including pasta shapes such as Rigatoni, Spirals, Penne etc. Alternatively, serve with rice or a baked potato. For extra side dishes, go for garlic bread and a green salad.
Quick Tip
Double the recipe and freeze half. Batch cooking saves on energy costs.
Would you like to SAVE this Post?
I'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
I respect your privacy and you can opt out at any time.
Batch Cooking Tips
This vegetarian mince bolognese is ideal for batch cooking. When scaling up
- You don't need to multiply the liquid exactly - just add enough for everything to be nicely coated, not swimming.
- The sauce naturally thickens as it simmers, depending on how watery your tomatoes are.
- Once cooled, portion and freeze for quick midweek meals.
How to cook Quorn Bolognese in a Slow Cooker
Cooking Quorn mince bolognese in a slow cooker is very simple. Just add all the ingredients apart from the Quorn mince to your slow cooker. Cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 4 hours. For the last 15 minutes, add the Quorn mince from frozen. Stir, then serve.
Substitutions & Variations
It's handy to have some flexibility with recipes and you can certainly make some changes to this Quorn veggie bolognaise to use up leftovers, sneak in some more veg, pad it out for an easy budget-version or make it vegan.
- Quorn Mince - You can swap for other meat-free mince brands. Quorn itself isn't vegan, but other plant-based versions are (see Is Quorn Vegan). If you want to cook this recipe with meat, I suggest using pork mince as an alternative to beef mince as pork has a much lower carbon footprint.
- Hidden Vegetables version - Add celery, mushrooms or red bell peppers for extra flavour and texture and to make this recipe go further. You can also add grated courgette (zucchini).
- Budget Version - add red lentils to bulk this out for a real budget-version. Red lentils cook quickly so work better than green or brown lentils. Add with the sauce and simmer for 15 - 20 minutes. As they absorb liquid, you may need to add more. Top up with a little vegetable stock or extra passata.
- Wine - Add a splash of balsamic vinegar instead if you'd rather not use wine.
Sustainability
Choosing a meat-free bolognese like this one is a simple and easy way to cut your carbon footprint. The carbon footprint of Quorn is 90% lower than beef.
Other sustainble wins :
- Buy loose local vegetables to reduce packaging and food miles.
- Choose Fairtrade olive oil, black pepper and red wine where possible - these small swaps make a huge difference so some of the world's poorest farmers,
- Batch cook to save on energy.
- Be creative with leftovers and serve in a lasagne for a different meal.
Pro Tip
Freeze in single portions to minimise waste.
How to store Quorn Bolognese
- Fridge : Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Freezer : Freeze for up to 1 month, even if you used frozen Quorn originally. Now that it's been cooked you can freeze it again.
- Reheat : Defrost in the fridge overnight and reheat until piping hot. Only reheat it once.
Troubleshooting and Common Questions
Yes - straight into the pan! It heats quickly and holds its texture well
Yes, use a vegan mince alternative. Use Hendersons Relish instead of Worcestershire sauce and skip or swap the cheese for a vegan cheese.
Use any leftover Quorn mince in a lasagne, in stuffed peppers or over baked jacket potatoes. Remember to only reheat it once. It can also be frozen.
Just like beef mince, you may need to break the quorn mince up with a wooden spoon whilst it's cooking.
The bolognese sauce will naturally thicken as it simmers. However, if it is too watery, it's probably because your canned tomatoes had a high water content. Simmer your sauce for longer with the lid off to help thicken it. Alternatively, you can add some extra vegetables or red lentils to absorb more liquid.
📖 Recipe
Easy Quorn Spaghetti Bolognese
Would you like to SAVE this Post?
I'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
I respect your privacy and you can opt out at any time.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon olive oil organic, fairtrade
- 2 onions peeled and diced, organic
- 250 g carrots peeled and diced, organic
- 2 cloves garlic organic, peeled and crushed
- 300 g Quorn mince
- 400 g chopped tomatoes organic, use tinned
- 125 ml red wine organic, fairtrade or low alcohol cooking wine
- 250 g passata organic
- 2 tablespoon fresh basil or 1 teaspoon of dried basil /oregano
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce organic
- 1 dash black pepper freshly ground, organic, fairtrade
- 1 dash salt
- 360 g dried spaghetti organic
- 25 g Parmesan cheese organic, to serve (optional)
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan or oven proof casserole dish over a medium heat and fry the onion, carrot and garlic for 5 minutes.2 tablespoon olive oil, 2 onions, 250 g carrots, 2 cloves garlic
- Add the Quorn mince to the pan and cook for 5 minutes.300 g Quorn mince
- Add the chopped tomatoes, passata, Worcestershire sauce, red wine, fresh basil and season with salt and pepper. Reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.400 g chopped tomatoes, 125 ml red wine, 250 g passata, 2 tablespoon fresh basil, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 dash black pepper, 1 dash salt
- Cook the pasta as per the packet instructions, then serve together with the bolognese sauce and some fresh parmesan cheese sprinkled over the top.360 g dried spaghetti, 25 g Parmesan cheese
Notes
Ingredients
- Quorn Mince - is a great standby and can be cooked from frozen.
- Chopped Tomatoes - use the best quality tinned or canned tomatoes you can afford. Cheaper varieties usually have a higher water content so will make your sauce runnier.
- Passata - adds a smooth, velvety texture.
- Worcestershire Sauce - adds umami and a hint of spice. A traditional version however contains anchovies so isn't suitable for those who don't eat fish. However, vegetarian and vegan versions are widely available. Henderson's Relish is a good alternative and is suitable for vegans.
- Red Wine - (optional) - adds richness, but skip if you prefer.
- Basil - fresh basil works well or you can use 1 teaspoon of dried oregano.
- Spaghetti or pasta of your choice.
- Parmesan or vegan cheese, to serve. Note traditional parmesan cheese is not suitable for vegetarians.
- See the recipe card for quantities.
Substitutions
- Quorn Mince - I've tested this recipe with Quorn mince which is a particular brand. You could use other plant-based or meat-free mince products. Quorn is not suitable for vegans, but other plant-based mince products are.
- Vegetables - I've just used onions and carrots in this recipe to keep it simple, but you could also add in celery and mushrooms.
Batch Cooking
This vegetarian mince bolognese is ideal for batch cooking. When scaling up- You don't need to multiply the liquid exactly - just add enough for everything to be nicely coated, not swimming.
- The sauce naturally thickens as it simmers, depending on how watery your tomatoes are.
- Once cooled, portion and freeze for quick midweek meals.
Storage
- Fridge : Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Freezer : Freeze for up to 1 month, even if you used frozen Quorn originally. Now that it's been cooked you can freeze it again.
- Reheat : Defrost in the fridge overnight and reheat until piping hot. Only reheat it once.
Nutrition per serving
The Nutritional Values are computer generated estimates based on industry standards and are provided as a helpful guide only.
Comments
No Comments