Easy Tempeh Bolognese for a Delicious Plant-Based Dinner
- JANSFOOD USA
- Sep 9
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 10
Looking for a hearty, vegan-friendly bolognese that tastes just as rich as the traditional version? Royal Tempeh, proudly distributed by Jans Enterprises Corp, makes this classic pasta dish easy to enjoy without meat. Crumbled tempeh forms the base of the sauce, slowly cooked in extra virgin olive oil alongside fresh vegetables and a deep tomato base. The result is a flavorful, satisfying plant-based dinner that’s packed with protein and fiber. Perfect for vegans, vegetarians, or anyone looking for a nutritious weeknight meal.
Why Tempeh Bolognese Is a Flavorful Vegan Dinner Option
Tempeh has a naturally umami, nutty taste and a meaty texture that makes it perfect for bolognese. Royal Tempeh, made from high-quality soybeans, absorbs all the herbs, tomato, and wine flavors in the sauce for a rich, satisfying dish. Slow-cooking the tempeh with a soffritto of onions, carrots, and celery builds depth, while finishing with a short simmer ensures every bite is flavorful and hearty.
By using Royal Tempeh, you don’t miss the meat, instead, you get a plant-based protein that’s full of nutrition and fiber, while reducing saturated fat compared to traditional ground meat.
Comparing Tempeh Bolognese to Traditional Meat Versions
Essential Ingredients & Substitutions
To make a rich, authentic vegan bolognese, focus on Royal Tempeh, tomato paste, and extra virgin olive oil. Optional ingredients for depth include red wine, vegetable broth, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, and fresh herbs.
Equipment & Prep Tips
Large pan or Dutch oven for sauce
Food processor for crumbling tempeh and mushrooms
Blender or immersion blender for a smoother sauce
Big pot for cooking pasta
Step-by-Step Tempeh Bolognese
1. Prep & Cook Tempeh:
Crumble Royal Tempeh by hand or in a processor.
Sauté in olive oil with salt until golden brown, letting edges crisp.
Optional: add nutritional yeast for extra umami.
2. Build the Sauce:
Sauté celery, carrots, and onions until soft.
Add garlic, chopped tomatoes or passata, and tomato paste.
Deglaze with a splash of wine and add balsamic vinegar or soy sauce.
Stir in herbs (oregano, rosemary) and return tempeh to the pan.
3. Simmer & Serve:
Add broth or water and simmer 30–40 minutes for depth of flavor.
Cook pasta of choice (whole wheat, gluten-free, zucchini noodles).
Serve sauce over pasta, topping with vegan parmesan and fresh basil.
Serving Suggestions & Pasta Pairings
Whole wheat spaghetti, penne, or rigatoni for a classic feel
Zucchini noodles or gluten-free options for lighter meals
Vegan lasagna sheets for a layered, comforting dish
Pair with roasted vegetables, green salad, or white wine
Garnish with fresh basil, spinach, olive oil, or vegan parmesan
Why Royal Tempeh Is the Best Choice
Royal Tempeh is high in protein, packed with fiber, and naturally nutty, making it ideal for plant-based meals. It’s versatile, nutritious, and a sustainable alternative to meat that enhances every recipe it touches.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best way to store leftover tempeh bolognese?
Keep your leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. They will be good for up to 4 days. You can also put them in the freezer to keep for about 3 months. When you want to eat them again, use the stove or the microwave to heat them up. If the sauce has become too thick, just add a little water or broth to thin it out.
Which pasta pairs best with vegan bolognese?
Whole wheat spaghetti is a go-to, but you can use any favorite pasta. If you like lasagna sheets, you can make it as a layered bake too. You could also use your favorite noodles. If you want a lighter dish or need to go gluten-free, try zucchini noodles. The vegan bolognese sauce tastes good with all of these. The rich, vegan bolognese brings out the best in every pasta base. So, use what you like and enjoy this tasty bolognese sauce however you want.
Where can I buy tempeh online?
Looking to buy tempeh online? Head to our website and explore our full range of products from tempeh snacks like tempeh chips to meat substitutes of our premium frozen tempeh. Whether you're meal prepping or looking for healthy snacks on the go, Royal Tempeh delivers delicious, protein-packed vegan meat options straight to your door. Our products are perfect for creating a variety of tempeh dishes that satisfy your cravings for wholesome, plant based meat alternatives.
Who brings Royal Tempeh to the United States?
Royal Tempeh, a premium Indonesian fermented soybean brand, is proudly distributed across the U.S. by Jans Enterprises Corp, a trusted partner for natural grocers, plant-based markets, and food service buyers seeking high-quality meat alternatives and traditional Asian protein sources. Jans isn’t just a wholesale food distributors, we are a dedicated food and beverage distributor focused on delivering authentic, clean-label products to the American market. From iconic Indonesian food staples to health-forward innovations, Jans curates imports that reflect growing demand for natural and cultural authenticity. Founded in 1998 as an Indonesian food distributor USA, Jans has become a reliable Asian food importer, serving leading retailers, health-focused stores, and distributors nationwide. We are now recognized among top food importers in USA, known for bringing dependable, trend-forward products with integrity and flavor. Thanks to Jans, Royal Tempeh is now available throughout the U.S. — offering a versatile plant-based protein that meets the needs of modern consumers while honoring traditional Indonesian fermentation methods. We ensure availability, quality, and logistic reliability for all our B2B partners.
Jans isn’t just a wholesale food distributors in USA, we are a dedicated food and beverage distributor with a passion for bringing globally inspired flavors to American shelves. From beloved Indonesian food snacks to innovative confections, we source and supply products that reflect rich culinary traditions. Jans started as Indonesian food distributor USA in 1998 and grew to be a reliable Asian food importer. Now Jans has been established as a trusted food importers in USA ensuring all products meet the highest standards. Whether you're a retailer, a distributor, or a shopper seeking bold flavors, Jans stands out as a dependable food importer and partner in the evolving food and beverage space.
What kinds of products does Jans offer?
Jans Store provides a diverse selection of best snacks and specializes in bold, flavorful options ranging from sweet snacks, spicy snacks, savory snacks, to protein snacks and healthy snacks. As a growing distributor snack and wholesale distributors, we bring exciting, globally inspired products to both retail shelves and food service providers. Our collections are designed to suit a wide range of palates and appeal to individuals of all ages, like cassava chips, jalapeno chips, sweet potato chips, mixed root chips, to the best coconut water, calamansi juice drink, guava juice drink, lychee juice and soursop fruit drink.
Many of our food and beverage products are perfect for baking and recipe creation. Our popular ube flavor items like Butterfly Ube Flavoring, Ube Condensed Milk, Ube Powder are ideal for adding vibrant color and rich taste to any recipes like ube halaya, ube cakes, ube cookies, and ube ice cream. You can also use our Sweet Cow Sweetened Condensed Milk or Evaporated Milk for creamy textures and sweet finishes in your baked goods.
And if you are looking for more inspirations, visit jansfood.com/blog for recipes using Jans ingredients. Don’t forget to follow our social media for the latest updates and delicious new ideas!
Where is Jans based from?
Jans Enterprises Corp is proudly based in Los Angeles, California, with our main facility located in El Monte, making us a go-to name for high-quality El Monte snacks. As one of the trusted food supplier Los Angeles and food wholesaler in the area, Jans proudly serves customers across the U.S. with a wide selection of premium snacks, confections, and Asian food products. If you've ever searched for “food distributors near me” chances are you’ve come across Jans. We are also recognized as a growing Asian food distributor with strong ties to the Asian grocery market and a commitment to quality and flavor.
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