Hearty Lentil Bolognese (Printable Version)

Hearty meat-free Italian sauce with protein-packed lentils and aromatic vegetables.

# List of Ingredients:

→ Base

01 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 - 1 large onion, finely diced
03 - 2 carrots, finely diced
04 - 2 celery stalks, finely diced
05 - 3 garlic cloves, minced

→ Sauce

06 - 1½ cups dried brown or green lentils, rinsed
07 - 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
08 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
09 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
10 - 1 teaspoon dried basil
11 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
12 - 1 bay leaf
13 - 3½ cups vegetable broth
14 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ To Serve

15 - 12 ounces spaghetti or preferred pasta
16 - Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (optional)
17 - Grated Parmesan or vegan alternative (optional)

# How-To Steps:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add diced onion, carrot, and celery. Sauté for 7 to 8 minutes until vegetables are softened.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add lentils, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, paprika, and bay leaf. Stir thoroughly to combine.
04 - Pour in vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30 to 35 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lentils are tender and sauce thickens.
05 - Remove bay leaf. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
06 - While sauce simmers, cook pasta according to package instructions in a medium pot. Drain in a colander.
07 - Serve sauce over cooked pasta. Garnish with fresh herbs and cheese if desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It tastes so rich and satisfying that no one will miss the meat, I promise.
  • You get real protein and fiber without the prep drama of multiple components.
  • It freezes beautifully, so you can make a double batch and thank yourself later.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing your lentils because the starchy coating makes them cloud the sauce and feel gritty.
  • The sauce will seem thin at first but thickens considerably as the lentils soften and absorb liquid, so resist the urge to add more broth early on.
03 -
  • A pinch of cinnamon or a small piece of dark chocolate stirred in at the end adds an almost imperceptible richness that rounds out all the flavors beautifully.
  • Toast your dried herbs briefly in the hot oil before adding anything else to really amplify their flavor throughout the dish.
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