Description
Craving a hearty, comforting, plant-based dinner? This Mushroom Ragu is the ultimate meatless comfort food—rich, savory, and packed with umami from a mix of mushrooms, garlic, herbs, and a slow-simmered base. Perfect for cozy dinner ideas or easy weeknight meals, this healthy ragu pairs beautifully with tagliatelle, pappardelle, or your favorite pasta. It’s a quick dinner that feels like it took hours. Whether you’re looking for a vegan pasta recipe, easy dinner ideas, or healthy comfort food, this one will hit the spot!
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 carrots, finely chopped
2 celery stalks, finely chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
500g mixed mushrooms (cremini, portobello, shiitake), finely chopped
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1/2 cup dry red wine (optional)
1 cup vegetable broth
1 teaspoon soy sauce or tamari
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
Salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
400g tagliatelle or pasta of choice
Instructions
1. Finely dice onion, carrots, celery, and garlic. Chop mushrooms small—use a food processor for finer texture if desired.
2. Heat olive oil in a heavy skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Sauté onion, carrot, and celery for 8–10 minutes until softened and golden. Add garlic and cook another minute.
3. Add mushrooms. Increase heat and cook 10–15 minutes until browned and moisture has evaporated.
4. Stir in tomato paste and cook 2–3 minutes until deepened in color. Deglaze pan with red wine (if using), scraping up browned bits. Let it reduce.
5. Add vegetable broth, soy sauce, thyme, and oregano. Simmer uncovered 20–25 minutes until thickened. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Meanwhile, cook pasta al dente in salted water. Reserve 1/4 cup of pasta water before draining.
7. Toss pasta with ragu, adding reserved water if needed to coat. Drizzle with olive oil.
8. Garnish with basil or parsley. Serve hot. Add vegan parmesan or chili flakes if desired.
Notes
Use a mix of mushrooms for the best flavor and texture—portobello, shiitake, and cremini are ideal.
Don’t skip browning the mushrooms—it’s the secret to a rich, savory sauce.
Tomato paste needs to cook for a few minutes to deepen its flavor and bring out sweetness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 380mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: mushroom ragu, vegan pasta, healthy dinner, easy dinner ideas, meatless recipe