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 completely happy to as a result of I like consuming plant-based meals. Lentils are a improbable supply of protein and fiber, and in contrast to dried beans, they prepare dinner rapidly with out pre-soaking. This vegetarian Lentil Bolognese makes a superb meatless dinner. Mushrooms and a complete can of tomato paste create a deeply savory basis of taste made richer with the wine, however you’ll be able to simply omit it in case you’d like. For a extra conventional Bolognese recipe, I’ve stovetop, gradual cooker, and Instantaneous Pot variations.

Crimson 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 advanced taste.
Garlic: Mince three garlic cloves.
Wine: Crimson wine provides richness and depth to the Bolognese sauce. Be sure 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 prepare dinner the lentils.
Lentils: Brown, inexperienced, or cut up purple lentils are all good choices for this Bolognese recipe. Every kind has roughly the identical cooking time, however cut up purple lentils have a finer texture as soon as cooked, whereas brown or inexperienced can 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.

Learn how 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 prepare dinner down.
Tomato Paste: Stir within the tomato paste and garlic and prepare dinner for 5 minutes till the paste is a deeper purple and begins to scent toasted.
Bolognese Sauce: Pour the purple wine into the pot to deglaze and prepare dinner for one more minute. Add the tomatoes, broth, lentils, and Italian seasoning. Enhance the warmth to excessive, stirring often, till the liquid is slightly below a boil.
Simmer: Cowl the pot, cut back the warmth to medium-low, and simmer for 25 to 40 minutes till the lentils are tender. Hold the liquid at an energetic simmer, which implies there ought to be a bit effervescent however not a full boil.
Pasta: Boil a big pot of salted water and prepare dinner the pasta to al dente based on the bundle instructions. As soon as finished, drain the pasta and stir into the sauce.
Learn how 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 in case you dislike them, however they do give the sauce a meatier texture and umami taste. Should you cube them very small, the mushrooms aren’t as noticeable.
Wine: Substitute purple wine with white wine or omit it in case you favor to not prepare dinner with it. Should you don’t wish to open a whole bottle of wine, purchase the mini bottles or cans on the grocery store.
Broth: Should you’re not vegetarian, you’ll be able to all the time use rooster broth or inventory if that’s what you’ve.

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. If in case you 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 this pasta with garlic knots, an Italian facet salad, or roasted inexperienced beans.
Meat: Should you’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 evening. Then freeze the sauce individually and prepare 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.