Red lentil Bolognese is a really quick and easy vegetarian alternative to meat Bolognese which tastes just amazing! Plus it's ready on the table in only 45 minutes!
Red lentil Bolognese is a perfect week night quick healthy meal.
When you combine the red lentils with all of the other ingredients in this recipe you get a delicious creamy, healthy Bolognese sauce.
A sauce just so rich and flavourful that I think it will really surprise you!
Now, as I've mentioned before neither my other half or myself are strictly vegetarians, but we both absolutely love this Bolognese version over and above a meat one.
We do try and eat as much of a vegetarian diet as possible, or rather a Mediterranean diet as you may have read me go on about before!
Whilst she would like us both to be vegetarians, I would miss my fish and white meats too much.
Also when we go out to dinner together I particularly look forward to having red meat as a treat then.
But anyway, I digress and this recipe is about this red lentil Bolognese, so let's get back to that....
There are numerous reasons why I love to cook with red lentils. They're cheap, filling and extremely versatile being just a few.
However the main reason is that they have a huge list of nutritional benefits to go with them, making this red lentil Bolognese extremely good for you whether you're vegetarian or not!
Why This Red Lentil Bolognese is Good for You
- The lentils in this recipe provide a cheap source of protein.
- They're also fat free.
- As lentils are high in fibre and filling they can suppress appetite which in turn can aid weight loss.
- A good source of iron, this recipe can help prevent iron deficiency which makes you feel weak and tired.
- Lentil are also rich in vitamin C and folate which helps your body make new cells.
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Other Bolognese Recipes You Might Also Like
- Quorn spaghetti bolognese is a fantastic vegetarian version of the traditional meat based Italian classic. In pretty much 30 minutes you’ll have this amazing family meal ready to serve and even meat eaters will love it too!
- Low-cost healthy lasagne is a healthier version of the classic Italian family favourite. Easy to make and ready in under one hour this recipe makes 4 – 6 portions at only 351 calories per slice.
- Easy homemade Quorn lasagne is delicious. This vegetarian Quorn mince recipe serves up to six people. Making it a great meat free meal for entertaining.
- Slow Cooker Spaghetti Bolognese requires minimal effort and delivers maximum taste. It's the perfect busy weeknight dinner!
Red Lentil Bolognese Recipe
This vegetarian red lentil Bolognese is easily made vegan too. just make sure your pasta is vegan friendly and omit the Parmesan!
I’d love to hear what you think of my recipe in the comments below and please do rate my recipe 5* if you like it! 🙂
Red Lentil Bolognese Recipe
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion diced
- 1 carrot shredded
- 75 g button mushrooms sliced
- 100 g red split lentils
- 600 ml vegetable stock
- 2 tablespoon tomato puree
- 800 g (2 x 400g) tins of chopped tomatoes
- 3 cloves garlic crushed
- Pinch of mixed herbs
- Freshly ground salt and pepper.
- 200 g wholewheat spaghetti
- Parmesan cheese grated
Instructions
- Heat oil gently and saute onion, carrot and mushrooms for approximately 4 – 5 minutes.
- Stir in the lentils, vegetable stock, tomato puree, tinned tomatoes, crushed garlic and herbs.
- Bring to a simmer for 25 - 30 minutes to an hour. Check and stir regularly in case mixture needs a little extra water. Be careful you don’t overcook the lentils. You want them to be al-dente.
- Season to taste.
- Cook spaghetti in boiling, salted water for 10 – 15 minutes, drain.
- Divide spaghetti between plates, top with the red lentil Bolognese and sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Mm I love red lentils <3 They are so perfectly creamy with a tad of a smokey taste!
Have fun on your weekend away!!
neil@neilshealthymeals.com
I agree with you there Rebecca, they do have a tad of a smokey taste don't they?
Yep, looking forward to my weekend away, just got next week to go first. I probably confused people there by talking about it a week before it'll actually happen. LOL
David @ Spiced
What a unique recipe, Neil! Like you, I do love red meat but I do try to eat everything in balance. I've never thought about making a bolognese out of lentils, though. I need to try this one! Plus, we love a good pasta dish around these parts. 🙂 So those vacations that you have planned sound amazing! I say explore all of those pubs, uh forests, around Newtonmore. You've earned a good walk, uh pint, after all of these long work days! Hang in there, my friend, you're almost done! Oh, and did I tell you that my Mom wants us to go to Scotland with her next year on vacation? It's true!
neil@neilshealthymeals.com
Thanks David. I found this a great dish to bring in and heat up whilst working my late nights, served with some pasta.
I so need my vacations! You can bet I'll be exploring as much of the pubs for a good pint as well as the local forests, rivers and mountains. Can't wait!
Oh, and that's great news that you could be coming to Scotland next year!! We will definitely make the effort to meet up with you guys, we'd love to do that, if you're up for it! Hey, we could even by your guide for any places you've not been to that we have. 🙂
GiGi Eats
How unique! And way to think of the VEGANS of the world 🙂
neil@neilshealthymeals.com
AW, thanks so much GiGi. 😀
Ben | Havocinthekitchen
Oh, I do love lentils. Normally, I eat cooked lentils just with a drizzle of olive oil or in salads. Certainly, cooking it with vegetables just boosts the flavors and textures. Also, lentils make one of my favorite additions to pasta, but I've never made lentil Bolognese so I might need this in my life one day:)
neil@neilshealthymeals.com
I agree Ben, lentils are a great addition to pasta. Another great "bulk" vegetable that takes over from meat if required or if you just feel like a change eh? 😀
Ashika | Gardening Foodie
I absolutely love this recipe. I am vegetarian and this looks like a great recipe to add in my recipe box. I use a lot of red and brown lentils in my dishes and this is another fantastic way to use them. Thanks for another awesome recipe ?
neil@neilshealthymeals.com
Thank you Ashika. And thanks for reminding me about brown lentils which I haven't used in ages, or featured in the blog before. I can see a new recipe coming on there! 😉