Lentil Bolognese
Hey there, pasta lover! Get ready to dive into a deliciously comforting bowl of Lentil Bolognese—a healthy, vegan spin on the traditional Italian dish. Picture rich tomato sauce, hearty lentils, and aromatic veggies coming together to create a dish that's perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re a long-time vegan or just looking to add some plant-based deliciousness to your diet, this recipe is here for you.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or any other cooking oil, like avocado or coconut oil
- 1 onion diced
- 2 carrots diced (you can also use bell peppers for a different twist)
- 2 celery sticks diced (you can skip these if you’re not a fan)
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup dried lentils green or brown, but not red for this recipe
- 1 can 14 oz crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 cups vegetable broth or water for a lighter option
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon salt adjust to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar optional, but it adds a nice depth
- Pasta of your choice linguine, spaghetti, or even zoodles for a low-carb version!
Instructions
- Sauté the veggies: Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Toss in the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Cook until the veggies soften up, which should take about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and stir for about 30 seconds—you want that garlic deliciousness to shine!
- Add lentils and liquids: Stir in the lentils, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, vegetable broth, oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and the bay leaf. Bring it all to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 25-30 minutes—don't forget to give it a stir occasionally!
- Cook the pasta: While the sauce is doing its thing, cook your pasta according to the package instructions. Make sure to salt your pasta water like the ocean!
- Finalize: When the lentils are tender and the sauce has thickened up, add the balsamic vinegar if you’re using it. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Remove the bay leaf; we don't want anyone nibbling on that!
- Serve up: Plate your pasta and ladle that scrumptious lentil Bolognese sauce on top. Garnish with some fresh basil or nutritional yeast for an extra touch of flavor. Dig in!