Red Lentil Bolognese

Name: Red Lentil Bolognese
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 120 min
Total time: 140 min
Ingredients: 2 tbsp olive oil; 3 garlic cloves (minced); 1 onion (chopped); 1 bell pepper; 1 1/2 cupa red lentil; 2 cups vegetable broth; 2 bottles (24 oz) strained tomatoes; 1 can (28 oz) diced tomatoes; 1 can (6 oz) tomato paste; 2 tbsp oregano (dried); 2 tbsp basil (dried); fresh basil and parmesan for garnish (optional); 3 tbsp tamari sauce (or soy sauce ); 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce; 1 tbsp sugar

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This recipe Red Lentil Spaghetti Bolognese is comfort food to is best.

Vegan Red Lentil Bolognese in a white bowl with bread in the background

Today I'm sharing a family recipe with you, my grandmother, my mother, and I are making the same sauce. But mine is the Vegan version of this Bolognese Sauce, all the ingredients are the same as the basic recipe, I simply changed the beef for red lentils, the taste and texture are relatively similar.

This Lentil Bolognese is made with nutrient-rich red lentils and will fulfill any hearty appetite. It's perfect for a winter meal or anytime you're in the mood for something comforting. Plus, it's healthy and delicious but also easy to make.

The Ingredients

Red lentils
Strained Tomatoes
Diced Tomates
Tomato Paste
Vegetable Broth
Onion
Red Bell Pepper
Basil
Oregano
Garlic
Bay leaf
Olive oil
Tamari Sauce or Soy sauce
Worcestershire sauce
Sugar (optional)

See the recipe card for quantities

How to make the Vegan Red Lentil Bolognese Step by Step

In a large pot over medium-high heat, add the olive oil, once hot add the garlic, onion, and bell pepper. Cook for 5 minutes until the vegetable has softened.

Add the remaining ingredients, reduce heat and simmer over low heat for 2 hours, give it a stir a few times.

Remove from heat, with the help of a hand mixer, blend the sauce until you obtain the texture of your choice.

Cooked sauce in the large pot with the perfect texture

Tips

Don’t rush it – Let the sauce simmer low and slow this is not a recipe you can speed up in any way and still achieve the same beautiful and authentic flavours.
Prep in advance – Like most sauces, this recipe tastes even better the next day so you can make it a day in advance and reheat it when you are ready to serve.
Some tomato brands may be more tart, to remove the acidity; simply add 1 tablespoon of sugar when cooking

How do I store leftover Bolognese?

The sauce will taste even more delicious the next day but leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can also freeze any leftover sauce for up to 3 months then thaw completely before reheating.

Close up of the serve spaghetti bolognese

FAQ'S

Do lentils taste like meat?

You can absolutely replace meat with lentils in most meat-based recipes. It has a similar texture as ground meat, and when seasoned with the right spices, it tastes like beef.

Are lentils inflammatory?

Although many anti-inflammatory diets claim that whole grains and pulses — beans, peas and lentils — increase inflammation, research shows otherwise. Lentils are high in fiber and magnesium, and magnesium has been shown to help reduce inflammation

Pasta Recipes

If you tried this Vegan Red Lentil Bolognese sauce or any other recipes on my blog please be sure to leave me a comment below, I love hearing from you!