Lentil Bolognese

This Lentil Bolognese recipe showcases a classic meat-free option using lentils in place of the traditional meat Bolognese sauce that uses beef or pork.

Remember that feeling as a kid when a big bowl of your favorite pasta would be set in front of you? Maybe it was grandma’s spaghetti or mac n’ cheese shaped like a beloved cartoon character. Whatever the shape, style, or sauce, every child had a favorite pasta dish. What about now, as an adult. What’s your favorite pasta dish? 

Now, we look for different things from our pasta than what cartoons they’re shaped like. Today, we crave pasta that is delicious, filling, and good for us. Things such as fiber, protein, and sodium levels are little boxes we look to check as we search for the best pasta dish.

This Lentil Bolognese recipe showcases a classic meat-free option using lentils in place of the traditional meat Bolognese sauce that uses beef or pork. From low sodium to gluten-free and vegan, our recipe checks all the boxes. All you need are five simple ingredients, thanks to our Organic French Lentil soup that does most of the work for you!

Get ready for Lentil Bolognese so good, you’ll forget there was ever another way to make it.

 

Does it Really Taste the Same as Traditional Bolognese? 

The short answer is no, it doesn’t taste the same as traditional bolognese. It tastes even better. 

Are you wondering how a pasta dish with no cream, butter, or cheese can be so tasty? Our Lentil Bolognese is made with wholesome ingredients like carrots, onions, thyme, and basil. When you allow these veggies to cook and become fragrant, the aroma right there will answer your question. We allow the ingredients to speak for themselves without being clouded by heavy dairy products. 

Have you ever eaten movie theater popcorn? If so, then you may remember feeling bloated or even a little tired within a few hours of eating it. It’s no secret that their popcorn is covered in butter and salt, making your movie snack high in sodium. Consuming an excess amount of sodium can leave you feeling lethargic and even a little swollen because it causes your body to hold more fluid than usual. Well, eating traditional meat Bolognese can have a similar effect. One serving has anywhere from 400mg-650mg of sodium, where one serving of our Lentil Bolognese only has 280mg. That means you could have two heaping servings of our bolognese and that would be the equivalent amount of sodium to just one serving of traditional bolognese.

By cutting out the dairy and meat products, our Lentil Bolognese is 100% vegan! No need to scan the ingredient list three times over to ensure you are missing a hidden dairy or meat product. 

How Does the Consistency of Lentil Bolognese Compare to Traditional Bolognese?

Traditional meat bolognese is layered in ground meat and tomato sauce, which provides a thicker consistency. Did you know that when lentils are cooked they have a thick, chewy texture that makes them the perfect meat substitute? Lentils are often used in chilis, burgers, even tacos in place of meat like beef and pork! Their robust consistency allows them to maintain their texture while stewing in liquid without getting soggy. 

Now the question becomes, can Lentil Bolognese fill you up and keep your stomach satisfied? We can guarantee that you have nothing to worry about when it comes to the heartiness of this dish. Unlike traditional meat Bolognese sauces, this Lentil Bolognese sauce is filling without weighing you down. Our recipes’ goal is to nourish your body with fresh, filling ingredients that will fuel you to tackle the next task on your to-do list. No need to take a nap to recover after enjoying a big bowl of this dish!

A Gluten-Free Pasta Dish, Yes You Read That Right!

From the pasta to the sauce, this recipe is 100% gluten-free. We use our Organic French Lentil soup as the base for our sauce, which is made with naturally gluten-free brown lentils. By using a gluten-free base to build our sauce off of, you’re able to save time and energy. Now all that’s left is picking your favorite gluten-free pasta to use! 

Time To Make Some Lentil Bolognese!

Would you believe us if we said it only takes three steps and five ingredients? Our Organic French Lentil soup does all the work for you! All you need to do is cook the pasta and add the other ingredients to a saucepan with the lentil soup. It comes together in just minutes, so you can sit back and enjoy a nice glass of red wine.

If you’ve ever made lentils you know how ~temperamental~ they can be. Even lentil cooking pros have a hard time executing the perfect lentils. From forgetting to sift the lentils to trying to will them to cook faster, there are countless ways to mess up lentils. Well, great news for you because we took the hard work of making the lentils out of the way! Using our Organic French Lentil soup as a base for the lentil sauce, you save so much time and the stress of turning dry lentils into a tasty foundation is no longer your concern. 

Since that’s out of the way, let’s get down to the basics of this recipe. First, bring a large pot of water to a boil, then add one pound of your favorite gluten-free pasta. While the shape doesn’t matter, we used spaghetti to get those long noodles that are perfect for twirling. Depending on the shape, make sure you follow the directions on the box to ensure you don’t wind up with overcooked pasta.

Want a tip? Before you drain your pasta, save a half cup of pasta water to add to your sauce. Trust us, this makes all the difference and brings the dish together! Once your pasta is cooked just under al dente, drain the water and set the noodles to the side. No need to keep the heat on, we’re going to come back to the pasta once the sauce is made.

It’s time to talk about the lentil Bolognese sauce, AKA the star of the dish. You’ll need one carton of Dr. McDougall’s Organic Lower Sodium French Lentil Soup, two cups pasta sauce, one tablespoon of dried oregano, one tablespoon garlic powder, and a handful of parsley for garnishing. This sauce is so easy that the only time you’ll need to use a knife is to chop parsley at the very end! You won’t even need to add pepper or red pepper flakes, as the French Lentil Soup is already seasoned with spices, and we want a dish that will warm you up, not set your tongue ablaze.

Now that we have the ingredients, let’s get cooking! Combine all the ingredients in a large saucepan and cook on medium heat. Allow the sauce to simmer until it’s fragrant, which should take about 10-15 minutes. Then, turn off the heat and add your pasta noodles. We like to use tongs to toss the noodles in the Lentil Bolognese sauce. Add a touch of pasta water to combine the noodles and sauce. You can add more if you need to but add it slowly because a little goes a long way.

Add the finishing touches by sprinkling chopped parsley over the pasta, and it’s ready to eat! While the serving size says four, feel free to serve yourself as much pasta as your heart desires. Or, if you’re saving some for leftovers you’re in luck because pasta is one of those dishes that is just as good on day two as the day you made it. Just transfer your remaining pasta to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to four days. If you have a busy week ahead, this is the perfect healthy comfort meal to keep you going. 

The Benefits of Easy Recipes

After a long nine months of quarantine, it’s time to embrace the easy recipes, and this Lentil Bolognese is the perfect way to start. Here are just a few benefits of low maintenance recipes: 

1. By spending less time preparing meals, you’re able to use that time to connect with friends or family.
2. Easy recipes mean an easy cleanup! Say goodbye to a sink full of dirty dishes and hello to a 5 minute clean up. 
3. No excuse to order in when you know that you can make a nutritious dinner in just 15 minutes. 
4. They taste just as delicious as recipes that take multiple hours!

Everyone deserves a break from cooking now and again, especially during these unique times. We’ve seen each other through a lot, from making banana bread to homemade sourdough kits, and now it’s time for simple and tasty recipes to shine. The Organic French Lentil soup is another excellent easy dish to have on hand when you just don’t feel like cooking. Whether it’s by itself or as the delicious base in a new recipe, it’s no wonder this healthy lentil soup is a pantry staple.