Savory Rigatoni with Quick Mushroom Bolognese

This hearty vegetarian twist on classic Bolognese swaps meat for finely chopped mushrooms, delivering rich, umami-packed flavor in a fraction of the time. It’s the ultimate comfort food that’s both satisfying and simple—perfect for weeknight dinners.

🍴 Ingredients

2 tbsp olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 carrot, finely diced
1 celery stalk, finely diced
16 oz cremini or button mushrooms, finely chopped
2 tbsp tomato paste
½ cup dry red wine (optional)
1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
1 tsp dried oregano
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1 lb rigatoni pasta
Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish
Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

🔥 Instructions

Sauté the Aromatics:
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, carrot, and celery. Cook for 5–6 minutes until softened.

Cook the Mushrooms:
Stir in the chopped mushrooms and cook until most of the moisture evaporates and mushrooms are golden—about 8 minutes.

Add Flavor:
Mix in the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes. Deglaze with red wine, if using, and let it reduce slightly.

Simmer the Sauce:
Pour in the crushed tomatoes and oregano. Season with salt and pepper. Simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Boil the Pasta:
Cook rigatoni according to package directions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.

Combine:
Toss rigatoni with the mushroom Bolognese, adding reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce. Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs and Parmesan.

📦 Amazon Must-Haves to help you create the best Rigatoni with Quick Mushroom Bolognese

🍝 Rigatoni Pasta – The ideal pasta shape to hold onto the rich mushroom sauce.
🔪 Vegetable Chopper – Make quick work of finely dicing carrots, onions, and celery.
🍷 Red Wine for Cooking – Enhances depth and richness in your vegetarian Bolognese.
🍄 Mushroom Brush – Gently clean mushrooms without damaging their delicate texture.
🥄 Wooden Spoon Set – Perfect for stirring sauces and sautéing without scratching cookware.
🧀 Microplane Parmesan Grater – Top off your pasta with fluffy clouds of freshly grated cheese.

💡 Helpful Tip: Use a food processor to pulse your mushrooms for a quicker prep—just don’t over-process; you want texture, not mushroom paste.