Hearty Vegan Lentil Bolognese
Hearty Vegan Lentil Bolognese — Comfort in a Bowl! 🌿
This Vegan Lentil Bolognese is everything you love about traditional spaghetti bolognese — rich, saucy, and satisfying — but completely plant-based! Instead of ground meat, we use lentils to create a hearty texture that soaks up every bit of savory tomato flavor.
It’s a wholesome, high-protein meal that comes together easily with simple pantry staples. Perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or impressing even the most skeptical meat-eaters! 💚
🌿 Ingredients
For the sauce:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 carrot, diced
- 1 celery stalk, diced
- 1 cup dry brown or green lentils, rinsed
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional, for depth)
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- Salt & pepper to taste
For serving:
- 10 oz spaghetti or your favorite pasta
- Fresh parsley or basil, for garnish
- A sprinkle of vegan parmesan (optional)
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Cook the veggies:
In a large pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, carrot, and celery. Sauté for 5–6 minutes, until softened and fragrant.
2️⃣ Add the lentils and tomatoes:
Stir in lentils, tomato paste, diced tomatoes, herbs, and spices. Mix well.
3️⃣ Pour in broth & simmer:
Add vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Lower heat and let it simmer for 25–30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lentils are tender and sauce thickens.
4️⃣ Cook the pasta:
While the sauce simmers, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
5️⃣ Combine & serve:
Toss the cooked pasta in the lentil bolognese sauce. Garnish with parsley and a sprinkle of vegan parmesan. Serve warm and enjoy! 🍅✨
💡 Tips
🥕 Use red lentils if you prefer a creamier, softer texture.
🍄 Add mushrooms or zucchini for extra umami.
🥫 Double the batch — this sauce freezes beautifully!
✨ This Vegan Lentil Bolognese is rich, hearty, and bursting with flavor — the kind of comforting bowl you’ll crave again and again. Serve it with garlic bread and a glass of red wine for the ultimate cozy meal! 🍷🌿
