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Ziti with Chipotle Lentil Tomato Sauce
5 from 21 votes

Ziti with Chipotle Lentil Tomato Sauce

Ziti with Chipotle Lentil Tomato Sauce features pasta tossed in a smoky, slightly spicy tomato sauce enriched with red lentils. The sauce incorporates aromatics like onion, garlic, carrot, and herbs, enhanced by chipotle chili for heat and smokiness. Lentils add body and protein, while apple cider vinegar balances flavors. Nutritional yeast or vegan parmesan adds a cheesy finish, making this a hearty, plant-based dish.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Total Time
35 mins
Servings: 3
Calories: 530 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Fusion, Vegan, gluten-free

Ingredients

  • 1.5 cups pasta uncooked, like Ziti or Penne
  • 2 tsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 cup red onion chopped small (1/4-1/2 inch)
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/2 cup carrot chopped small, chopped
  • 1/2 tsp oregano dry
  • 1 tsp basil or 1 Tbsp packed chopped fresh basil, dry
  • 2 tomato about 1.5 cups, large, juicy, pureed
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste optional
  • 1 chipotle chili pepper chopped or pureed with the tomatoes (remove the seeds to reduce heat if needed), or use 1/2 tsp chipotle pepper powder, two inch, in adobo sauce
  • 1/3 cup red lentils washed and drained, aka pink lentils
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes feel free to omit, or cayenne, to taste
  • black pepper a generous dash
  • nutritional yeast or vegan parm, extra virgin olive oil for garnish

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Cook the pasta according to instructions on the box.
  2. Meanwhile, heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onions and garlic and cook for 4 minutes or until translucent.
  3. Add the carrots and herbs and mix well. At this point you can also add in veggies such as zucchini or thinly sliced mushrooms and cook for 3 minutes.
  4. Add the tomatoe puree and chopped chipotle pepper and cook for 5 minutes until slightly thickened. Add 1 tbsp tomato paste and a touch of sweetener for deeper flavor.
  5. Wash, drain lentils and add to the pan. Add water and Cook partially covered for 16 to 18 minutes or until the lentils are tender. Add salt, vinegar and peppers and mix in. Taste and adjust salt and heat. Cook a few minutes longer, uncovered, if the sauce is too thin. Reduce heat to low-medium.
  6. Add pasta to the sauce. Cook covered at low-medium heat for 2-3 minutes. let sit for another 2 minutes before serving. Sprinkle nutritional yeast or vegan parm and extra virgin olive oil and serve.

Notes

  • Nutritional values are calculated per serving and can vary based on ingredient brands and quantities.

Nutrition Information

Calories 530kcal (27%) Carbohydrates 93g (31%) Protein 21g (42%) Fat 6g (9%) Sodium 463mg (19%) Potassium 533mg (11%) Fiber 16g (64%) Sugar 6g (12%) Vitamin A 4380IU (88%) Vitamin C 15.5mg (17%) Calcium 37mg (4%) Iron 2.2mg (12%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 3 Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 530

% Daily Value*

Calories 530kcal 27%
Carbohydrates 93g 31%
Protein 21g 42%
Fat 6g 9%
Sodium 463mg 19%
Potassium 533mg 11%
Fiber 16g 64%
Sugar 6g 12%
Vitamin A 4380IU 88%
Vitamin C 15.5mg 17%
Calcium 37mg 4%
Iron 2.2mg 12%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.