Hearty vegan lentil bolognese made with lentils and tomatoes. Moreover, it’s rich, protein-packed, and perfect for easy dinners.
🛒 Ingredients You’ll Need (Serves 4–5)
For the Sauce
- 1 cup dried brown or green lentils, rinsed
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 carrots, grated
- 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups crushed tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2½ cups vegetable broth
To Serve
- Cooked spaghetti or pasta of choice
- Fresh basil or vegan parmesan (optional)
🔪 Cooking the Lentils
First, place lentils and vegetable broth in a saucepan.
Then, bring to a boil.
Afterward, reduce heat and simmer for 18–20 minutes until tender.
Meanwhile, prepare the bolognese base.
🍅 Making the Lentil Bolognese Sauce
To begin, heat olive oil in a large pan.
Next, sauté onion, carrots, and celery until soft.
Then, add garlic and cook briefly.
After that, stir in tomatoes, tomato paste, and spices.
Finally, add cooked lentils and simmer for 10–15 minutes until thick and rich.
⭐ Tips for the Best Vegan Lentil Bolognese
- Firstly, finely chop vegetables for a classic texture.
- Moreover, simmer longer for deeper flavor.
- Additionally, add pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed.
- Finally, season at the end for balance.
🔄 Variations to Try
- Mushroom Boost: Add finely chopped mushrooms
- Spicy: Stir in chili flakes
- Gluten-Free: Serve over gluten-free pasta or polenta
- Low-Carb: Serve over zucchini noodles
- Italian-Style: Add bay leaf while simmering
💚 Health Benefits
Lentils are rich in plant protein and fiber.
Moreover, they support heart health and digestion.
Because this sauce is oil-light and dairy-free, it’s nourishing.
As a result, it’s ideal for balanced vegan meals.
🧒 Kid-Friendly Version
- Use mild seasonings
- Blend part of the sauce for smoothness
- Serve with small pasta shapes
- Add a sprinkle of vegan cheese
🥗 Nutrition Facts (Per Serving – Approx.)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Protein: 16 g
- Fat: 7 g
- Fiber: 12 g
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 380 mg
