Vegan Spaghetti Bolognese – Balkan Style

Prepare yourself for a Balkan-Italian fusion you probably haven’t experienced yet, my Vegan Spaghetti Bolognese – Balkan Style. I’m taking a classic spaghetti bolognese and adding a combination of savory ingredients that’ll transport you to the rich flavorful world that is the southeastern region of Europe. And guess what, it’s all vegan! 

The Balkans Take Italy – Food Edition!

This is definitely a great way to still explore the different flavors of Europe, whose traditional cuisines can be dominated by meats and dairy. Of course, you can still opt for a non-vegan version of this recipe, so feel free to use any ground meat of your choice before we start! Note, I’ll be using the Impossible brand. 

With that being said, let’s get cooking!

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 5 oz chopped onions
• 4 oz chopped carrots
• 3 garlic cloves- finely minced
• 12 oz ground meat (I use Impossible for a vegan option)
• 1 tsp parsley
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp Ajvar or Red Pepper & Eggplant spread (If you don’t have Ajvar, Trader Joes 
• makes a great one)
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 cups boiling water
• 8 oz spaghetti

Directions

First, cook your spaghetti in salted water and according to package directions. You’ll also want to boil about 2 cups of water separately as well, as you’ll need it for the last step of this recipe.

Meanwhile, in a large pan, heat the olive oil and add your onions, carrots, and garlic. Cook this combination for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.

Add in the ground meat, all of the seasonings, Ajvar (or the red pepper and eggplant spread you’ve chosen if you’re not using Ajvar), and tomato paste. Mix well and cook until the meat has browned.

Add the 2 cups of water you’ve been boiling into the large pan, cover, and simmer on low for about 25 minutes. Make sure to mix often.

When finished, add in your drained spaghetti and toss!

And there you have it, a vegan, Balkan-Italian, spaghetti bolognese! It’s such a wonderful recipe and I’m so glad I am able to share it with you. I find that this dish brings a lot of comfort to me and I hope it can do the same for you!

If you can, I would love it if you could share a comment below on what you think about this recipe and how it turned out for you. You can also tag me in a post on Instagram using my handle @mysavorycravings, where I also publish inspiring, mouth-watering food content that you won’t want to miss! Stay on the lookout for more quick and easy recipes coming your way to satisfy even more of your cravings!

Enjoy!