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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a bowl of pasta topped with walnut sauce.

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 

a bowl of pasta with walnut sauce.

Ingredients

  • walnuts
  • dried seasonings: rosemary, parsley, garlic powder, smoked paprika, fennel, and sea salt
  • plain tomato pasta sauce
a bag of walnuts.

Instructions to make this recipe

First, add the tomato pasta sauce to a saucepan to heat it up.

Tomato sauce being stirred in a saucepan

Meanwhile, add the walnuts to a food processor with the dried spices.

walnuts and seasonings in a food processor.

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. 

seasoned walnut crumbles in a food processor.

Stir the crumbled walnuts into the warmed sauce and stir.

seasoned walnut crumbles being stirred into pasta sauce.

This is some rich, delicious pasta sauce right here.

walnut sauce being stirred in a saucepan.

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.

a package of brown rice noodles.

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.

a bowl of noodles topped with walnut sauce.

More meatless dinner recipes

*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!

Be sure to follow me on social media! I love pinning to boards on Pinterest, sharing on Facebook, and posting on Instagram. See you there.  🙂

a bowl of pasta with walnut bolognese sauce.

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a bowl of pasta topped with walnut sauce.

Walnut Sauce – Vegan + Budget-Friendly Recipe

Sharon Rhodes
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 also perfect for eating on a budget.
5 from 3 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 235 kcal

Ingredients
  

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
 

Nutrition

Calories: 235kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 6gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 963mgPotassium: 737mgFiber: 4gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 795IUVitamin C: 13.3mgCalcium: 53mgIron: 2.7mg
Keyword vegan bolognese sauce, walnut bolognese sauce, walnut pasta sauce, walnut sauce
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5 from 3 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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