Walnut ‘Meat’ Sauce
This super easy Walnut Sauce recipe is a great addition to any vegan or vegetarian meal rotation. Seasoned walnut crumbles replicate beef in a rich walnut bolognese to die for. It’s rich, savory, and oh-so-satisfying.
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This walnut pasta sauce is an inexpensive and healthy dinner idea! For starters, walnuts have a wide variety of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory nutrients. Awesome nutrition right there. More meat-free dinner ideas include this Vegetarian Lentil Chili and this Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese. Or try this creamy and tangy Tomato and Mascarpone Sauce from Two Cloves Kitchen.
IN THIS POST: Everything you need to make Walnut Sauce
Ingredients
- walnuts
- dried seasonings: rosemary, parsley, garlic powder, smoked paprika, fennel, and sea salt
- plain tomato pasta sauce
Instructions to make this recipe
First, add the tomato pasta sauce to a saucepan to heat it up.
Meanwhile, add the walnuts to a food processor with the dried spices.
Pulse the walnuts into crumbles resembling ground beef. Be sure not to over blend or you will wind up with spicy walnut butter. A few pulses ought to do it.
Stir the crumbled walnuts into the warmed sauce and stir.
This is some rich, delicious pasta sauce right here.
In the meantime, cook the pasta. Bring a large pot of water (generously salted) to a boil, cook, and drain.
This brand of brown rice pasta is a tried and true gluten-free option.
It has the perfect al dente consistency, as the Italians would say.
My favorite thing about brown rice pasta is how easily it digests. No stomach bloat or sluggishness like with bleached flour pasta. The key to perfectly cooked brown rice pasta is to not overcook it.
FAQs, Tips, + Substitutions
- What is walnut sauce? The traditional Salsa di Noci is a cream-based sauce with walnuts, white bread without crusts, and lemon juice. Our version is a different flavor featuring tomato sauce. It has more of a bolognese taste and fewer calories
- Use a high-powered blender instead of a food processor to make the seasoned walnut crumbles
- Top your bowl with fresh pepper, a drizzle of olive oil, and a tablespoon of grated parmesan cheese
- Store any leftovers in a sealed glass container in the fridge for up to 2 days
Want to try another delicious vegan sauce? This easy white wine sauce is super simple but packed with flavor.
More meatless dinner recipes
- Roasted Vegetable Pasta
- Lasagna Roll Ups
- Cheesy Vegetarian Enchiladas
- Vegetarian Lentil Chili with Roasted Butternut Squash
- Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese with Crispy Lentils
- Pasta with Broccoli
- Vegan Tacos Recipe
*This recipe was originally posted on September 1, 2014, modified on June 21, 2019, and updated again on October 8, 2022, with recipe notes, writing, and new photos.**
If you’ve tried my Walnut Sauce, please rate the recipe and let me know how it turned out by leaving me a comment below. I’m always interested in feedback!
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Walnut Sauce – Vegan + Budget-Friendly Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup walnuts
- ¼ tsp dried rosemary
- ¼ tsp dried parsley
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp smoked paprika
- ¼ tsp fennel
- ¼ tsp sea salt
- 3 cups tomato pasta sauce
Instructions
- In a medium sauce pot, set your sauce over medium heat.
- Meanwhile, place walnuts and spices in your food processor and pulse until crumbled. Don’t over mix or it will turn to butter.
- Add the crumbles to the sauce and stir well.
- Cook 4 portions of your choice of pasta.
- Serve warm sauce over pasta.
Video
Notes
- Use a high-powered blender instead of a food processor to make the seasoned walnut crumbles
- Top your bowl with fresh pepper, a drizzle of olive oil, and a tablespoon of grated parmesan cheese
- Store any leftovers in a sealed glass container in the fridge for up to 2 days
