Sweet Potato Noodle Bolognese With Toasted Crushed Almonds

You don't need meat to make a wonderful bolognese sauce! This bolognese keeps

the savory tomato sauce and replaces it with a mixture of quinoa and carrots. Protein from the quinoa keeps you full while chopped carrots, celery, and almonds helps give it a heartier texture that's so good with tomatoes. Toss this bolognese with any kind of pasta or try it as the sauce in your lasagna.

Sweet Potato Noodle Bolognese With Toasted Crushed Almonds [Vegan, Gluten-Free]

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons dry quinoa
• 1/4 cup, plus 3 tablespoons water
• Salt, to taste
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/4 cup chopped celery
• 1/4 cup peeled and chopped carrot
• A handful of almonds
• 1/4 cup diced red onion
• 1 14-ounce can diced tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon oregano flakes
• Pepper, to taste
• 1 1/2 large sweet potatoes, peeled, spiralized
• Olive oil cooking spray
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

Preparation

1. Place a small saucepan over high heat and add the quinoa and water. Add a pinch of salt and bring to a boil and then lower heat and simmer until all water evaporates and quinoa is fluffy. Set aside in a bowl once done.
2. As the quinoa is cooking, place your carrot and celery in a food processor and pulse until no large chunks remain. Set aside.
3. Clean out the food processor and add in the almonds. Crush until chunky. Place a small skillet over medium heat and add in the crushed almonds. Cook for about 3 minutes or until almonds become fragrant. Set aside.
4. Place a large saucepan over medium heat. Add in the olive oil and once it heats up, add in the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add in the red pepper flakes, cook for 30 seconds, and then add in the celery-carrot mixture and red onions. Cook for about 3-4 minutes or until vegetables soften.
5. Add the diced tomatoes, season with oregano, salt, and pepper. Crush tomatoes using the back of a fork or potato masher. Cook for about 10-15 minutes or until sauce is mostly reduced. You want the sauce to be thick but still be juicy.
6. As the sauce is cooking, add the sweet potato noodles to a large skillet over medium heat. Lightly spray the noodles with cooking spray and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Toss frequently until noodles have wilted and softened, about 5-10 minutes.
7. Once the sauce is done, add in the cooked quinoa and stir to combine. Add in the cooked sweet potato noodles and toss to combine.
8. Plate the noodles into the bowls and top each with even amounts of toasted crushed almonds.

https://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-recipe/quinoa-and-sweet-potato-noodle-bolognese/