4.8 from 18 votes
Vegan Lentil Bolognese (Easy!)
This soul-warming vegan Bolognese sauce features nourishing red lentils & mushrooms instead of ground beef! Serve it over your favorite pasta for an elegant, satisfying, ultra-comforting meal.
Prep Time
25 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
55 mins
Servings:
6
large bowls
Calories:
131 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Italian-American Fussion, Vegan, gluten-free
Ingredients
- 1 yellow onion medium
- 5-6 cloves garlic
- 8 oz. mushrooms
- 1 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
- 1 1/2 cups vegetable broth
- 28 oz. crushed tomatoes canned
- 1/2 cup red lentils uncooked, split
- 2 Tbsp. tomato paste
- 1-2 Tbsp. nutritional yeast (or more)
- 1 Tbsp. tamari
- 2 tsp. Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp. smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp. salt
For serving:
- 8-12 oz. pasta (gluten-free if desired)
- vegan parmesan cheese
- parsley fresh
- basil fresh
Instructions
- Finely dice onion and mushrooms.
- In a large pan or Dutch oven, sauté onion for 7-8 minutes. (I use 3 Tbsp. water/broth for no-oil sauté method, adding more as needed.)
- Meanwhile, mince garlic.
- When onion is translucent, add mushrooms, garlic, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, and salt. Stir and cook 3-4 minutes.
- Add red wine vinegar. Stir and cook 1 minute.
- Add broth, crushed tomatoes, red lentils (rinsed and drained), tomato paste, nutritional yeast, and tamari.
- Bring to a light boil. Then reduce heat, cover, and lightly simmer for 30 minutes. Stir occasionally. (This is a great time to cook the pasta.)
- Serve sauce over cooked pasta. Top with vegan parmesan and fresh basil or parsley.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Yield: Recipe makes about 6 cups sauce. I find this is a good match for about 8-12 oz. pasta. But it can vary depending on the ratio of sauce you use.
- Nutrition: The estimated nutritional content is calculated for the Bolognese sauce only (no pasta included).
- Recipe originally published January 2020. Updated & improved based on reader feedback January 2024. (If you want the original recipe, please just email and ask!)
Nutrition Information
Calories
131kcal
(7%)
Carbohydrates
25g
(8%)
Protein
9g
(18%)
Fat
1g
(2%)
Saturated Fat
0.1g
(1%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
0.3g
(2%)
Monounsaturated Fat
0.1g
(1%)
Potassium
787mg
(17%)
Fiber
9g
(36%)
Sugar
9g
(18%)
Vitamin A
591IU
(12%)
Vitamin C
17mg
(19%)
Calcium
77mg
(8%)
Iron
4mg
(22%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6 large bowls
Amount Per Serving
Calories 131
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 131kcal | 7% |
| Carbohydrates | 25g | 8% |
| Protein | 9g | 18% |
| Fat | 1g | 2% |
| Saturated Fat | 0.1g | 1% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.3g | 2% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 0.1g | 1% |
| Potassium | 787mg | 17% |
| Fiber | 9g | 36% |
| Sugar | 9g | 18% |
| Vitamin A | 591IU | 12% |
| Vitamin C | 17mg | 19% |
| Calcium | 77mg | 8% |
| Iron | 4mg | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.