Hearty & Healthy Lentil Bolognese: Your New Weeknight Favorite! 🍝🍲💪
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
2 carrots, peeled and finely diced
2 celery stalks, finely diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup (200g) brown or green lentils, rinsed
1 (28 ounce / 794g) can crushed tomatoes
1 (14.5 ounce / 400g) can diced tomatoes, undrained
1/2 cup (120ml) vegetable broth
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Fresh basil or parsley, chopped, for garnish
Cooked pasta of your choice, for serving
Directions:
1. Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 8-10 minutes, or until vegetables are softened. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
2. Add Lentils and Tomatoes: Stir in the rinsed lentils, crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes (with their juices), vegetable broth, tomato paste, dried oregano, dried basil, dried thyme, and red pepper flakes (if using).
3. Simmer Sauce: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 40-45 minutes, or until lentils are tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a little more vegetable broth or water.
4. Season: Once lentils are tender, season the bolognese sauce with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
5. Serve: Serve the lentil bolognese hot over your favorite cooked pasta. Garnish with fresh chopped basil or parsley. This sauce also pairs well with polenta or zucchini noodles.
Recipe Information:
Preparation Time: 20 minutes | Cooking Time: 50-60 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes - 1 hour 20 minutes | Calories per Serving: Approx. 300-350 (sauce only) | Number of Servings: 6
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