Lentil Bolognese

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This hearty, savory Lentil Bolognese is a superb vegetarian meal that doesn’t sacrifice consolation. It’s additionally excessive in protein and fiber!

I get requested to share extra vegetarian recipes usually, and I’m all the time comfortable to as a result of I really like consuming plant-based meals. Lentils are a implausible supply of protein and fiber, and in contrast to dried beans, they cook dinner shortly with out pre-soaking. This vegetarian Lentil Bolognese makes a superb meatless dinner. Mushrooms and an entire can of tomato paste create a deeply savory basis of taste made richer with the wine, however you may simply omit it for those who’d like. For a extra conventional Bolognese recipe, I’ve stovetop, sluggish cooker, and Prompt Pot variations.

Purple Lentil Bolognese Substances

Greens: Cube one yellow onion, two medium carrots, and eight ounces of child bella mushrooms.
Salt to season the greens
Tomato Paste: Use a whole can of tomato paste for a extra complicated taste.
Garlic: Mince three garlic cloves.
Wine: Purple wine provides richness and depth to the Bolognese sauce. Be certain that to make use of a dry, good-quality one.
Tomatoes: I swear by Tuttorosso’s canned tomatoes. Crushed or diced tomatoes will work right here.
Liquid: Use vegetable broth or water to cook dinner the lentils.
Lentils: Brown, inexperienced, or cut up pink lentils are all good choices for this Bolognese recipe. Every sort has roughly the identical cooking time, however cut up pink lentils have a finer texture as soon as cooked, whereas brown or inexperienced will likely be extra distinctive within the sauce.
Herbs: Season the Bolognese with dried oregano or Italian seasoning and garnish with recent basil.
Parmesan: Garnish with freshly grated parmesan or dietary yeast for a vegan lentil Bolognese.
Pasta: To extend the protein, serve this dish over high-protein pasta.

Easy methods to Make Lentil Bolognese

Greens: Sauté the onion, carrots, mushrooms, and salt in a big pot over medium warmth. Prepare dinner till the onions are translucent and the mushrooms begin to cook dinner down.
Tomato Paste: Stir within the tomato paste and garlic and cook dinner for 5 minutes till the paste is a deeper pink and begins to odor toasted.
Bolognese Sauce: Pour the pink wine into the pot to deglaze and cook dinner for one more minute. Add the tomatoes, broth, lentils, and Italian seasoning. Improve the warmth to excessive, stirring often, till the liquid is slightly below a boil.
Simmer: Cowl the pot, scale back the warmth to medium-low, and simmer for 25 to 40 minutes till the lentils are tender. Maintain the liquid at an lively simmer, which implies there needs to be a bit of effervescent however not a full boil.
Pasta: Boil a big pot of salted water and cook dinner the pasta to al dente in keeping with the package deal instructions. As soon as completed, drain the pasta and stir into the sauce.
Easy methods to Serve: Divide the lentil Bolognese into bowls and high with grated parmesan or dietary yeast and recent basil.

Variations

Mushrooms: Swap child bellas with white button mushrooms.
Not a mushroom fan? You’ll be able to skip the mushrooms for those who dislike them, however they do give the sauce a meatier texture and umami taste. For those who cube them very small, the mushrooms aren’t as noticeable.
Wine: Substitute pink wine with white wine or omit it for those who desire to not cook dinner with it. For those who don’t wish to open a whole bottle of wine, purchase the mini bottles or cans on the grocery store.
Broth: For those who’re not vegetarian, you may all the time use rooster broth or inventory if that’s what you will have.

What to Serve with Lentil Bolognese

Pasta: This straightforward Lentil Bolognese sauce is great over pasta, like linguini, rigatoni, or rotini. I used Barilla’s Protein+ pasta for additional protein and fiber. You probably have a gluten sensitivity, select your favourite gluten-free noodles.
For a lower-carb choice, serve it over zucchini noodles.
If you wish to add a facet dish, do that pasta with garlic knots, an Italian facet salad, or roasted inexperienced beans.
Meat: For those who’re not vegetarian and wish extra protein, pair it with salmon or rooster.

Storage

Leftovers will last as long as 5 days within the fridge or three months within the freezer.

You’ll be able to freeze the Bolognese and pasta collectively or make simply sufficient pasta for the primary night time. Then freeze the sauce individually and cook dinner recent pasta earlier than consuming.
To thaw, let the container sit in a single day within the fridge and reheat it on the range or within the microwave till heat. You might want so as to add a splash of water or broth if it’s too thick.

Lentil Bolognese FAQ

What’s lentil Bolognese?

Bolognese is an Italian pasta sauce manufactured from floor meat, tomatoes, greens, and milk or cream, which originated in Bologna, Italy. Lentil Bolognese swaps floor meat with lentils for a vegetarian meal that’s additionally extra economical since lentils value lower than meat.

What can I put in Bolognese as a substitute of meat?

Lentils and mushrooms are frequent substitutions for meat in Bolognese. Some recipes use walnuts, tofu, or a vegan floor meat different.