There’s nothing quite like bolognese for a hearty meal, but not everyone likes to eat meat. This vegetarian version uses sunflower seeds as the base and because it’s from our Meal Prep vegetarian cookbook it also comes with 4 meal prep serving ideas so you can either serve up for the whole family or meal prep for the whole week with our other tasty options including canneloni, sloppy joes or pie.
Looking for more vegetarian dinners or more bolognese recipes?
Meal 1 Sunflower bolognese with pappardelle
Meal 2 Sunflower bolognese pie
Meal 3 Sunflower bolognese cannelloni
Meal 4 Sunflower bolognese sloppy joe
Ingredients
Assembly ingredients
Method
Sunflower bolognese
1.Process sunflower seeds in a small food processor until very finely chopped. Transfer seeds to a heatproof bowl; pour over 3 cups (750ml) boiling water. Soak for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
2.Add onion and carrot; cook for 4 minutes or until softened. Add garlic and herbs; cook for a further 2 minutes or until fragrant. Add sunflower seeds and soaking water plus tomato paste, tomatoes, paprika. Bring to a simmer; cook for 10 minutes or until thickened. Season to taste.
3.Divide sunflower bolognese into 4 portions. Refrigerate for up to
4 days.
Sunflower bolognese with pappardelle
4.Bring a large saucepan of salted water to the boil. Cut 3 lasagne sheets into wide strips. Cook pappardelle for 2 minutes or until just tender; drain. Serve pappardelle with 1 portion reheated sunflower bolognese, topped with 2 tbsp parmesan + 1 tbsp basil.
Sunflower bolognese pie
5.Preheat oven to 200°C/400°F. Dip 2 lasagne sheets into a bowl of boiling water and remove. Use 1 lasagne sheet to line an 8.5cm x 12cm, 200ml baking dish. Spoon 1 portion sunflower bolognese into dish; top with second lasagne sheet + 2 tbsp parmesan. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden and heated through.
Sunflower bolognese cannelloni
6.Preheat oven to 200°C/400°F. Cut 2 lasagne sheets in half; dip into a bowl of boiling water and remove. Divide 1 portion sunflower bolognese between lasagne pieces; roll up into four tubes. Place in an 8.5cm x 12cm, 200ml baking dish; sprinkle with 2 tbsp parmesan. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden and heated through. Serve with 150g coleslaw.
Sunflower bolognese sloppy joe
7.Preheat grill to high; toast bun on both sides. Meanwhile, reheat 1 portion sunflower bolognese in a small frying pan until sauce is reduced. Fill bun with 150g coleslaw + sunflower bolognese + 1 tbsp basil.
