Skip to Content
Recipes

Vegan Bolognese Sauce from Chef Riccardo Orfino

A meatless alternative to Bolognese sauce from the acclaimed Italian chef/partner of NYC's Osteria 57 and Alice.

"Meatless" and "Italian" are not words typically paired in the restaurants of New York City, but Chef Riccardo Orfino — formerly of Michelin-starred Il Lugo di Aimo & Nadia in Milan, Osteria della Pace at Eataly Downtown, and La Pecora Bianca — offers up this marvel among his menus that are entirely "senza carne" (meatless). Here, he gracefully shares a recipe with Appetito's readers, offering a meat-free alternative to a classic Bolognese sauce.

Vegan Bolognese

Vegan Bolognese

Recipe by Riccardo Orfino
0.0 from 0 votes
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

10

minutes
Cooking time

20

minutes

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup 1/2 extra virgin olive oil

  • 1 medium 1 onion coarsely chopped

  • 2 2 garlic cloves

  • 2 2 celery stalk peeled and coarsely chopped

  • 2 2 carrots coarsely chopped

  • 1 pound 1 mixed mushrooms

  • 1 pound 1 pecans

  • 3 oz 3 dry Porcini

  • 32 oz 32 tomato sauce

  • 2 qt 2 vegetable stock

  • 1 glass 1 red wine (optional)

  • 1 oz 1 sage and rosemary, finely chopped

  • salt and pepper to taste

  • fresh parsley at the end

Directions

  • Cut the carrots, celery, garlic and onion very finely and sauté them until lightly golden.
  • Add the pecans and the dry porcini mushrooms, and sauté together until the mushrooms are tender.
  • Chopped the assorted mushrooms, and add them to the pot.
  • Add the tomato sauce, the glass of red wine (optional) and the vegetable stock.
  • Let the liquid simmer until the broth has dried up.
  • To finish, add sage and rosemary and stir into sauce.
  • Add fresh parsley to garnish.
  • Use this Vegan Bolognese Sauce on fresh tagliatelle or to assemble a vegetarian lasagna.
  • ENJOY!

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @appetitomagazine on Instagram and hashtag it with #italianfoodanddrink

Like this recipe?

Follow @Appetitomagazine on Pinterest

Follow us on Facebook!

Follow us on Facebook

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Appetito

New York’s Bar Bianchi Launches Cicchetti Hour

Bar Bianchi debuts Cicchetti Hour, a new early evening ritual in the East Village.

February 24, 2026

Vinny DelGiudice’s Sausage and White Bean Soup

In the second installment of Real Italian, Real Fast, Vinny DelGiudice shares a rustic Italian soup that delivers depth and comfort with minimal effort.

February 24, 2026

The Second Rise of Zepeddie’s in Charlotte’s LoSo

After more than two decades, Zepeddie’s is back in Charlotte’s LoSo district, revived by the Zepsa family.

February 23, 2026

The Pasta Queen Launches New Podcast with Rob LeDonne

Nadia Caterina Munno launches The Pasta Queen Podcast with co host Rob LeDonne, offering a closer look at her life, Italian food and more.

February 23, 2026

Finire a Tarallucci e Vino: When the Table Has the Final Word

In this week’s column on Italian sayings shaped at the table, Italian scholar and educator Samuel Ghelli explores conflict and coexistence in Italian life.

February 23, 2026

Sunday Shop: TIMESAVVY, Grand Apizza, NOYZ

Morgan Hines seeks out the best in not only food and drink but style, housewares, and more. Welcome to Appetito’s Sunday Shop!

February 22, 2026
See all posts