Vegan Greek Meat Sauce Pasta Recipe (Makaronia Me Kima)

Name: Vegan Greek Meat Sauce Pasta Recipe (Makaronia Me Kima)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 6 Servings, 5 Cups Sauce Total
Cuisine: Greek
Ingredients: 2 Tbs oil; 1 red onion; 1 large (or 2 small) carrots; 3 cups vegan ground beef; 3 large cloves garlic; 1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes; 1/2 cup red wine; 1 cup veggie broth; 2 bay leaves; 2 Tbs soy sauce; 3 Tbs tomato paste; 1/2 tsp brown sugar; 1 tsp oregano; 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon; 1/8 tsp ground cloves; 1/8 tsp ground allspice; salt and pepper to taste; 1 lb spaghetti

Sarah
May 30, 2024
3 min read

Updated: May 14

This comforting vegetarian pasta dish is full of the robust flavor of tomatoes and spiced with the flavors of cinnamon and cloves.

Equipment	Stove, or Single Burner
Difficulty	Easy

Picture of the Greek meat sauce over a plate of spaghetti.

A pasta recipe that adds Greek flair to a vegan meat sauce!

Most people are familiar with Pasta Bolognese, but its Greek cousin isn't as widely known. Which is a shame! Few pasta dishes are as heart warming and comforting as Makaronia Me Kima. And it is so easy to make this vegan and vegetarian pasta recipe!

This easy vegan dinner recipe makes your house smell divine!

The cinnamon, clove, and allspice cooked together with garlic, onions, and tomatoes will make your house smell amazing. Few things smell as mouth watering and inviting as most of the ingredients in this recipe. Luckily for vegans and vegetarians, it has so much flavor inherently that it is perfect for using a vegan ground beef substitute without missing the umami!

Substitutions:

Substitute for cinnamon, allspice, or cloves: If you are missing one of these spices you can just use more of the other two to accommodate. In a pinch you could make this recipe using only cinnamon, but the flavor will lack depth and warmth.

Substitute for red wine: You can use extra 1/2 cup veggie broth if needed. It is less ideal, but still doable with tasty results. If you do not have a bottle of wine open, and aren't planning on using or drinking any in the near future, then don't worry about sacrificing a bottle for this recipe and just go with the veggie broth.

Substitute for tomato paste: You can use tomato sauce and an extra 1/2 tsp brown sugar from what is called for in the recipe, or you can use an extra 1/2 tsp brown sugar and also an extra 2 tsp soy sauce.

Money Saving Tips

You can substitute the wine for an extra 1/2 cup of veggie broth to save money (see above).

Soy sauce can be bought cheaper at Asian grocery stores.

My vegan ground beef recipe is cheaper and more "whole" than store-bought versions.

Lets Begin:

Picture of the ingredients for this recipe including onions, carrots, veggie broth, vegan beef alternative, etc.

Gather the ingredients.

Picture of onions and carrots cooking in the pan.

Heat 2 Tbs of oil in a pan over medium-low heat. Dice the 1 red onion. Dice the 1 large (or 2 small) carrots as small as you can without mincing. Mince the 3 large cloves of garlic. Add the onions and carrots to the oil to saute.

Picture of softened onions and carrots after 10 minutes.

Cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes. Do not let them burn. You want the carrots to start softening and the onions to become translucent.

Picture of the onions and carrots with the ground beef substitute.

Add the 3 cups of ground beef and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. If using my ground beef recipe: also add 2 more Tbs of oil, then add 1 Tbs soy sauce and 1/2 cup water.

Picture of carrots, onions, beef substitute, and garlic.

Add minced garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until garlic is fragrant, about 1 minute. You do not want the garlic to burn if you can avoid it, burnt garlic will add a bitter flavor the the final recipe.

Picture of all the ingredients added into a pan to simmer.

Add all the other ingredients: 1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes, 1/2 cup red wine, 1 cup veggie broth, 2 bay leaves, 2 Tbs soy sauce, 3 Tbs tomato paste, 1/2 tsp brown sugar, 1 tsp oregano, 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/8 tsp ground cloves, 1/8 tsp ground allspice. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Raise the heat to medium high and bring it to a boil. Cover with a lid and lower heat to low.

Picture of the pan after simmering with the completed Greek meat sauce.

Simmer, covered, for 20 minutes. This is a good time to cook the 1 lb of spaghetti according to the directions on the package. After the 20 minutes, taste and add salt and pepper if needed. It will smell so good as it cooks.