When it comes to pasta sauce, you can never go wrong with a good marinara – but sometimes you want something a little heartier. That’s where this vegan Lentil Bolognese recipe comes in. This is also one of our favorite easy dinners!
Just Wait Lentil you Try It!
Traditional Bolognese sauce has a lot of texture, which we’re going to achieve using lentils! Lentils are a great fit for bolognese because they are both good for your heart and keep you feeling full and satisfied. In addition, lentils contain high amounts of iron and folate and are a great source of protein.
The other benefit of lentils is that they are super easy to use! You can get great cooked lentils from the can. Combine this with some quality canned tomatoes and tomato paste – and you have the simplest prep imaginable!
We Walnut Fail!
We also add crushed, toasted walnuts to round out the flavor of our vegan pasta sauce. The walnut bits add more texture, protein and healthy fats to the lentil Bolognese. In fact, you can add walnuts to pretty much anything, from roasted veggies to baked goods.
Healthwise, walnuts are a great source of antioxidants and Omega-3 fatty acids. Walnuts are also believed to help reduce inflammation and improve blood pressure.
Putting it All Together …
Our combination of toasted walnuts, tomatoes, and balsamic vinegar are an umami powerhouse, giving this lentil Bolognese sauce a complex and unique flavor. Actually, with lentils providing protein and texture, you might even forget this is vegan ?. I also love to add crushed red pepper to my sauce for a little extra kick – though, this is completely optional.
Don’t Forget the Pasta!
Oh, and don’t forget to start cooking pasta to go with your lentil bolognese. The last thing you’ll want is to wait another 10 minutes before you chow down!
Spaghetti is our favorite pasta to pair this with. However, you might want to pair your Bolognese with a sauce-catching pasta like tagliatelle (ribbons), conchiglie (shells) or rigatoni (tubes). Alternatively, you could try going low carb and gluten-free with some “zoodles” (zucchini noodles).
You don’t need to skip the cheesy sprinkle on top, either! Just whip up a batch of vegan parmesan and add as much as you want ?.
No matter what pasta you choose, you can’t go wrong with this lentil bolognese sauce recipe for a quick and easy vegan meal. If you try it, please let us know how you liked it with a comment and rating!
Did you try this recipe? Let us know what you think with a comment and rating! Every bit of feedback helps make the blog even better!
Are you still craving the starchy stuff? Why not try our Spring greens and Spicy Lentils with Pasta, or our Mac and Cheese with Roast Beets?
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Lentil Bolognese with Walnuts | Vegan Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
A vegan spin on the classic bolognese pasta sauce recipe, made using lentils and walnuts. This healthy pasta recipe is easy to make, delicious and filling!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup raw walnuts, toasted and finely crushed
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium brown or yellow onion, finely chopped
- 1 medium carrot, finely chopped
- 1 celery stick, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1 large can diced tomatoes (28 ounces / 794 grams)
- 1 can lentils (15 ounces / 425 grams), drained and rinsed
- 3/4 cup water or vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes (not in oil)
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon balsamic glaze
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 12 ounces / 340 grams of Spaghetti (or pasta of choice)
To serve (optional)
Instructions
- Toast walnuts in a large pot over low heat, stirring regularly until walnuts become fragrant and slightly little darker (around 5 minutes). Transfer toasted walnuts to a small bowl and allow them to cool. Once cooled, crush toasted walnuts and set aside.
- Add olive oil to a large pot, heat to medium, and add finely diced onion, carrot and celery. Once onion turns golden brown, add minced garlic, dried basil, and crushed red pepper. Stir well and cook vegetables further for 2-3 minutes.
- Pour tomatoes, lentils, water, sun-dried tomatoes, tomato paste, balsamic glaze, crushed walnuts and a pinch of salt into the pot, stir well to combine with onion mixture. Lower heat and allow mixture to simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, stir occasionally.
- While the lentil bolognese mixture is simmering, start preparing the pasta. Fill a large pot with water and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Back to the lentil bolognese; before serving, taste adjust seasoning to suit your taste. Then scoop the lentil bolognese into pot of cooked pasta. Stir to combine sauce and pasta. Divide between 6 bowls and sprinkle with a little parmesan cheese. Enjoy!
Notes
- Nutritional information is to be used as a guide only as calories and nutrition vary between products and brands worldwide.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 447
- Sugar: 10.3 g
- Sodium: 767.2 mg
- Fat: 12.9 g
- Carbohydrates: 68.8 g
- Fiber: 9.7 g
- Protein: 17.5 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: lentil bolognese, lentil bolognese easy, lentil bolognese vegan
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2 Responses
Thank you so much Sheila- I’m so thrilled you enjoyed the recipe! This is one of my favorite recipes and make it easy week! YAY!
I just tried this recipe and absolutely loved it! It was easy to make, and was so delicious. I will definitely be making it again, and I look forward to trying some of the other recipes here.
★★★★★