Easy Hearty Vegetarian Bolognese

• Vegan

• Produce

  • 2 tsp Basil, dried
  • 1 tsp Chili flakes
  • 1 Eggplant
  • 3 cloves Garlic
  • 2 tsp Oregano, dried
  • 1 Red onion, large
  • 1 heaping cup Spinach, frozen
  • 4 cups Tomato sauce/pureed tomatoes, plain

• Canned Goods

  • 1/4 cup Tomato puree

• Condiments

  • 1 Hot sauce

• Pasta & Grains

  • 500 g Spaghetti

• Baking & Spices

  • 1/2 tsp Cayenne pepper
  • 1 Sea salt and pepper

• Oils & Vinegars

  • 1 tbsp Olive oil

• Liquids

  • 1 Reserved pasta water

Found on cearaskitchen.com

Description

Ingredients

• 500 grams/16 oz spaghetti
• 1 tbsp olive oil OR ¼ cup vegetable stock
• 1 large red onion, diced
• 3 - 4 cloves garlic, diced
• 2 tsp dried oregano
• 2 tsp dried basil
• ½ - 1 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 eggplant, chopped into ½ inch/1½ cm cubes*
• 4 cups plain tomato sauce/pureed tomatoes
• ¼ cup tomato puree
• 1 heaping cup frozen spinach OR 6 cups fresh spinach, chopped
• 1 tsp chili flakes (optional)
• Hot sauce to taste (optional)
• Sea Salt and Pepper to taste
• Reserved Pasta water (optional - if you prefer a thinner sauce)

Directions

• Boil water in a large pot and cook the spaghetti according to the directions on the package. Cook the pasta while making the sauce.
• On medium-high heat, heat up a large pan with either 1 tbsp oil or ¼ cup vegetable broth.
• Add chopped garlic and onions to the hot oil with the spices (oregano, basil and cayenne) and stir it around until the onions and garlic begin to brown (about 2 minutes).
• Add chopped eggplant with a pinch of sea salt (helps to bring out the liquid in the eggplant) to the hot pan. Stir it around until the eggplant begins to reduce and soften (about 4 minutes).
• Once the eggplant is softened, add the plain tomato sauce and tomato puree to the eggplant mixture. Stir and allow the tomato sauce to heat up and simmer before adding the spinach (about 3 minutes).
• Add the spinach to the tomato sauce. Simmer and stir the tomato sauce until the spinach is completely mixed in. Simmer the tomato sauce and add a bit of the pasta water if it is getting too thick.
• Add optional chili flakes, hot sauce and salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve hot on top of the hot spaghetti noodles!

Nutrition