Lentil Bolognese
User Reviews
4.7
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
45 mins
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Total Time
55 mins
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Servings
4 1 cup sauce
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Calories
478 kcal
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Course
Main Course, Dinner
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Cuisine
Italian
Lentil Bolognese
Description
Lentil Bolognese begins by finely dicing aromatic vegetables including onion, carrot, and celery, which are sautéed in cooking oil until softened and translucent. Minced garlic, crushed red pepper, and chopped walnuts are added and cooked briefly to deepen flavor. Red lentils along with crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and herbs such as oregano and basil complete the sauce base. The mixture is brought to a boil then simmered gently for 20 to 25 minutes until lentils have softened and the sauce has thickened to desired consistency.
The resulting sauce offers a thick texture with a blend of tender lentils and crunchy walnut bits adding bite and richness. It carries a balanced flavor from the combination of spices, tomato components, and a hint of sugar to round acidity. This sauce can be served over pasta or as a filling for various dishes where a traditional meat sauce is desired but with vegetarian ingredients.
This recipe showcases how legumes and nuts can approximate the texture and savoriness of meat in a hearty bolognese sauce without overwhelming complexity in preparation.
Ingredients
- 1 yellow onion $0.37
- 1 carrot $0.15
- 1 talk celery $0.10
- 2 Tbsp neutral cooking oil $0.08, generic cooking oil
- 4 cloves garlic $0.32
- 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper $0.02
- 1/2 cup walnut $1.07, finely chopped
- 1 cup red lentils $0.67, uncooked
- 1 oz. can crushed tomatoes $1.00
- 3 Tbsp tomato paste $0.27
- 1 tsp oregano $0.10, dried
- 1 tsp basil $0.10, dried
- 1 tsp garlic powder $0.10
- 1 Tbsp sugar $0.02
- 1/2 tsp salt $0.02
- 1/4 tsp black pepper $0.02
- 3 cups vegetable broth $0.36
- 1/2 cup coconut milk $0.81, full-fat
Instructions
- Finely dice the onion, carrot, and celery. Mince the garlic.
- Add the olive oil, onion, celery and carrot to a large pot. Sauté the vegetables for about 5 minutes over a medium until the onions are translucent and the vegetables have softened.
- Once vegetables have softened, add the minced garlic, crushed red pepper and walnuts to the pot. Saute for 2 minutes over medium-low heat, or until the garlic is fragrant.
- Add the lentils, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, dried basil, garlic powder, salt, sugar, pepper, and vegetable broth to the pot. Mix everything together and bring the sauce to a boil.
- Reduce the heat to low and simmer, semi covered with a lid, stirring occasionally for 20-25 minutes. After about 25 minutes the lentils should be soft and the sauce thickened. If the sauce is still too thin for your liking, continue simmering until it has reached your desired consistency.
- Once the bolognese has reached your desired consistency and texture, stir in the coconut milk and simmer for another 5 minutes. Taste the bolognese and add salt to taste. Turn off the heat. The bolognese will continue to thicken as it cools.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 41 cup sauce
Amount Per Serving
Calories 478 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1cup | |
| Calories | 478kcal | 24% |
| Carbohydrates | 52g | 17% |
| Protein | 18g | 36% |
| Fat | 25g | 38% |
| Sodium | 1261mg | 53% |
| Fiber | 19g | 76% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.7
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