• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Neils Healthy Meals

Quick Healthy Meals

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Wellbeing
  • Healthy Living
  • Contact Me
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Recipes
  • FREE eBook
  • Healthy Living
  • Contact Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • About
    • Recipes
    • FREE eBook
    • Healthy Living
    • Contact Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Dinner » Vegetarian Dinner

    Red Lentil Bolognese

    Published: Aug 17, 2017 · Updated: Jan 6, 2021 by Neil 10 Comments

    160 shares
    • Facebook2
    • Yummly
    • Twitter
    Jump to Recipe
    A bowl of red lentil spaghetti bolognese with a spoon and fork in. Pin title text overlay at top.
    A bowl of spaghetti with red lentil bolognese. The pan of bolognese and salt and pepper shakers in the background.

    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!

    A plate of red lentil bolognese served with spaghetti and a fork and spoon in. Slices of ciabatta on a plate and a glass of wine in the background.

    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!

    A plate of red lentil bolognese served with spaghetti and a fork and spoon in. Rest of the cooked bolognese in a large casserole pot in the background beside salt and pepper cellars.

    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!

    Birds eye view of a plate of red lentil bolognese served with spaghetti and a fork and spoon in. At the top the rest of the cooked bolognese in a large casserole pot with a serving spoon in. Glass of wine to the side.

    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.

    Subscribe to Neil's Healthy Meals

    Don't miss future updates and new recipes. Make sure you’re subscribed to Neil’s Healthy Meals.

    Subscribe here to add your email to the subscription list.

    And you can follow me too via your favourite social channels :-

    Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram, Bloglovin & YouTube.

    *I do not use your email for anything else other than adding you to my blog subscription list which you can opt out of at any time.

    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.

    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! Click to Tweet

    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 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!
    Print Recipe Save Recipe Saved Recipe!
    5 from 1 vote

    Red Lentil Bolognese Recipe

    Red lentil Bolognese is a really quick and easy vegetarian alternative to meat Bolognese which tastes amazing!
    Prep Time15 mins
    Cook Time30 mins
    Total Time45 mins
    Course: Dinner
    Cuisine: Italian
    Servings: 4 people
    Calories: 370kcal
    Author: Neil

    The following links and any links in the recipe card below are affiliate links.

    This means that if you click on it and then buy that product I’ll get a small commission (at no extra cost to you of course).

    If you do click through then thanks for being a part of Neil’s Healthy Meals!

    Equipment

    • Casserole pot
    • Chopping board
    • Kitchen knives
    • Kitchen scale
    • Measuring spoons
    • Measuring jug
    • Wooden spoon
    • Garlic press
    • Grater

    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
    Metric - US Customary

    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.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 370kcal | Carbohydrates: 67.7g | Protein: 15.8g | Fat: 5.2g | Saturated Fat: 0.8g | Sodium: 1161mg | Fiber: 9.9g | Sugar: 9.9g | Vitamin A: 950IU | Vitamin C: 43.7mg | Calcium: 120mg | Iron: 4mg

    Nutrition Facts
    Red Lentil Bolognese
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 370 Calories from Fat 47
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 5.2g8%
    Saturated Fat 0.8g5%
    Sodium 1161mg50%
    Carbohydrates 67.7g23%
    Fiber 9.9g41%
    Sugar 9.9g11%
    Protein 15.8g32%
    Vitamin A 950IU19%
    Vitamin C 43.7mg53%
    Calcium 120mg12%
    Iron 4mg22%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    Related

    « No Bake Strawberry Mousse Cheesecake
    Mediterranean Chorizo Couscous »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

      August 17, 2017 at 12:54 pm

      Mm I love red lentils <3 They are so perfectly creamy with a tad of a smokey taste!
      Have fun on your weekend away!!

      Reply
      • neil@neilshealthymeals.com

        August 17, 2017 at 3:08 pm

        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

        Reply
    2. David @ Spiced

      August 17, 2017 at 1:01 pm

      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!

      Reply
      • neil@neilshealthymeals.com

        August 17, 2017 at 6:14 pm

        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. 🙂

        Reply
    3. GiGi Eats

      August 20, 2017 at 2:59 pm

      5 stars
      How unique! And way to think of the VEGANS of the world 🙂

      Reply
      • neil@neilshealthymeals.com

        August 20, 2017 at 7:41 pm

        AW, thanks so much GiGi. 😀

        Reply
    4. Ben | Havocinthekitchen

      August 20, 2017 at 5:05 pm

      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:)

      Reply
      • neil@neilshealthymeals.com

        August 20, 2017 at 7:43 pm

        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? 😀

        Reply
    5. Ashika | Gardening Foodie

      August 22, 2017 at 9:14 pm

      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 ?

      Reply
      • neil@neilshealthymeals.com

        August 23, 2017 at 5:06 am

        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! 😉

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hello there! I’m Neil. Since 2014 Neil's Healthy Meals has been providing delicious quick healthy recipes and fabulous cheesecakes based on the 80/20 rule for eating. Helping you live a diet free lifestyle. One where you can still enjoy cake! Learn more here

    Popular Recipes

    • Birds eye view of 2 bowls of Scottish lentil soup with spoons in.
      Easy Scottish Lentil Soup
    • Easy homemade quorn lasagne cooked and displayed on a table ready to be cut and served.
      Easy Homemade Quorn Lasagne
    • Birds eye view of a pan of cooked low fat garlic mushroom pasta garnished with chopped parsley. Bowl of garlic bread at the top.
      Low Fat Garlic Mushroom Pasta
    • Slow cooker vegetarian chilli in slow cooker. Dishes of rice and coriander at the top.
      Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chilli

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Neil's Healthy Meals

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    COPYRIGHT © 2023 NEILSHEALTHYMEALS.COM - PRIVACY POLICY - DISCLAIMER

    160 shares
    • 2