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    Lentil Bolognese with Spaghetti

    Published: Apr 28, 2020 · Modified: Jul 13, 2020 by Sina · This post may contain affiliate links · 17 Comments

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    Lentil Bolognese

    This lentil bolognese makes such a great weeknight dinner for the whole family! It’s super easy to make, packed with nutrients, and soooo delicious!

    a white bowl of lentil bolognese with spaghetti with a hand holding a fork and a pan of bolognese sauce in the background

    Spaghetti with lentil bolognese has been one of my favorite recipes for a really long time. It’s just the perfect comfort food that is also super healthy at the same time!

    I’ve always loved lentils. Even as a little kid, I was always crazy about my mom’s  lentil soup with carrots and leek. It is so easy and yet so good at the same time!

    This lentil bolognese is exactly the same way. It does not take much longer than regular marinara and it’s just so yummy! Plus, it’s packed with vitamins and it’s a great source of protein and iron. So it really is perfect for vegans and vegetarians.

    It makes a really great Italian dinner. And who could say no to Italian pasta night? Definitely not me!

    It’s hearty, wine-infused, filling, and just sooo good!

    a bowl of spaghetti with lentil bolognese and a pan with more sauce on a marble countertop with fresh basil and parsley on the side

    What You Need for the Lentil Bolognese:

    • an onion
    • garlic
    • a large carrot
    • celery
    • red lentils
    • tomato paste
    • dry red wine (use a vegan brand)
    • canned diced tomatoes
    • vegetable broth
    • soy sauce
    • dried oregano, basil, and thyme
    • salt and black pepper
    • fresh basil

    As always, you can find the full ingredient list and the recipe instructions in a separate, printable recipe box at the end of this post.

    Spaghetti with Lentil Bolognese

    How to Make the Lentil Bolognese:

    The recipe couldn’t be much easier! It’s ready in about 30 minutes. 

    a collage of four photos that show the preparation of lentil bolognese

    1. STEP: Cook the spaghetti according to the instructions on the package. Set aside. 

    2. STEP: In a large sauce pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Sauté the onion for about 2 minutes. Then add the garlic and cook it for another minute. 

    3. STEP: Rinse the red lentils in a colander with cold water. Add the carrots and celery and cook for a further 3 minutes. Stir in the red lentils and the tomato paste. After another minute, deglaze with red wine and allow to evaporate (this will take about 1 minute).

    a collage of four photos that show the preparation of lentil bolognese

    4. STEP: Add the diced tomatoes and vegetable broth and simmer for about 15-20 minutes until the sauce is thick and the lentils are fairly soft and good to eat (they shouldn’t be too soft).

    a black pan with lentil bolognese and a spoon on a marble countertop with a blue and white dishcloth in the background

    5. STEP: Season with the Italian spices, salt, and pepper and – if using – soy sauce. Serve together with the spaghetti and sprinkle with some fresh basil leaves. 

    a black pan with vegan bolognese sauce and a white bowl with spaghetti on a marble countertop with a fork on the side

    Recipe Notes:

    • To make this dish gluten-free, replace the soy sauce with tamari and use brown rice spaghetti instead of regular or whole wheat spaghetti.
    • I used whole wheat spaghetti, but of course you can also use regular pasta instead if you want.
    • I used red wine for the bolognese sauce. However, please note that wine is often not vegan as animal-derived fining agents like milk protein or gelatin from fish bladder membranes are used in the production. However, there are many vegan brands. So keep an eye out for products that say “suitable for vegans” or that have the “certified vegan” logo.
    • If you like this recipe, you should also try my cauliflower bolognese sauce! 

    More Delicious Vegan Pasta Recipes: 

    • Cherry Tomato Sauce 
    • Lemon Spaghetti with Spinach
    • Easy Vegan Lasagna 
    • Vegan Bolognese
    • Quick and Easy Avocado Pasta 
    • Spaghetti with Vegan Meatballs 
    • Vegan One Pot Pasta with Tomatoes and Spinach 

    I LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU GUYS!

    I hope you like this vegan lentil bolognese as much as we do around here. 

    If you give it a try, I’d love to know what you think about it. Just leave me a comment and a star rating below. Your comments really make my day!

    You like my recipes and want to see more? Then follow me on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest! 

    Sina

    a white bowl of lentil bolognese with spaghetti with a hand holding a fork and a pan of bolognese sauce in the background

    Spaghetti with Lentil Bolognese

    Spaghetti with Lentil Bolognese - Vegan, hearty, delicious, and packed with protein and iron! Perfect for Italian pasta nights!
    5 from 8 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Italian
    Prep Time: 5 mins
    Cook Time: 25 mins
    Total Time: 30 mins
    Servings: 3 servings
    Author: Sina

    Ingredients

    • 9 oz whole wheat spaghetti
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 onion, chopped
    • 1 clove of garlic, minced
    • 1 large carrot, cut into small pieces
    • 2 stalks of celery, cut into small pieces
    • 3/4 cup red lentils
    • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
    • 1/3 cup dry red wine (use a vegan brand)
    • 1 can diced tomatoes (14,5 oz)
    • 2 cups vegetable broth
    • 1 teaspoon soy sauce (optional, leave it out for a soy-free version)
    • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
    • 1 teaspoon dried basil
    • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
    • salt
    • pepper
    • fresh basil to sprinkle

    Instructions

    • Cook the spaghetti according to the instructions on the package. Set aside.
    • In a large sauce pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Sauté the onion for about 2 minutes. Then add the garlic and cook it for another minute.
    • Add the carrots and celery and cook for a further 3 minutes. Then stir in the red lentils and the tomato paste. After another minute, deglaze with red wine and allow to evaporate (this will take about 1 minute).
    • Add the diced tomatoes and vegetable broth and simmer for about 15-20 minutes until the sauce is thick and the lentils are fairly soft and good to eat (they shouldn't be too soft).
    • Season with the Italian spices, salt, and pepper and - if using - soy sauce. Serve together with the spaghetti and sprinkle with some fresh basil leaves.

    Notes

    • To make this dish gluten-free, replace the soy sauce with tamari and use brown rice spaghetti instead of regular or whole wheat spaghetti.
    • I used whole wheat spaghetti, but of course you can also use regular pasta instead if you want.
    • I used red wine for the bolognese sauce. However, please note that wine is often not vegan as animal-derived fining agents like milk protein or gelatin from fish bladder membranes are used in the production. However, there are many vegan brands. So keep an eye out for products that say “suitable for vegans” or that have the “certified vegan” logo.
    • If you like this recipe, you should also try my cauliflower bolognese sauce! 
    Tried this recipe?Mention @_veganheaven_ or tag #veganheaven!
    Rate the recipe!If you like this recipe, please leave a good rating! This will help other readers.
    Previous Post: « Mexican Pinwheels
    Next Post: Thai Quinoa (One Pot) »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kerry

      October 16, 2022 at 9:37 am

      Do you use raw or cooked lentils?

      Reply
      • Sina

        October 19, 2022 at 9:41 am

        Hi Kerry,

        You need uncooked red lentils for this recipe. :-)

        Reply
    2. Lily

      March 24, 2020 at 10:28 pm

      5 stars
      Thank you for this recipe. I was sifting through so many lentils curries and lentil soup recipes, but I really wanted something different to do with my lentils. I just finished a delicious bowl of pasta covered in this sauce. So tasty and flavorful! Will definitely be making this again. :)

      Reply
    3. Michaell | Foodscape

      December 04, 2015 at 7:31 am

      I never would’ve thought of lentils for a pasta sauce. What a fabulous idea! Can’t wait to try this…

      Reply
      • Sina

        December 06, 2015 at 8:58 pm

        Thanks, Michaell! This has been one of my favorite pasta dishes for years! I love that it is so delicious and healthy at the same time. :-)

        Reply
    4. Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen

      November 27, 2015 at 6:54 pm

      Love eating lentils. And this lentil bolognese looks and sounds astounding. Super YUM!

      Reply
      • Sina

        December 01, 2015 at 9:27 pm

        Thank you, Anu! So glad you like it! :-)

        Reply
    5. Manali @ CookWithManali

      November 27, 2015 at 12:49 am

      looks delicious, as an Indian who grew up eating lentil everyday, I can still never have enough of it!

      Reply
      • Sina

        November 27, 2015 at 6:42 pm

        Me too, Manali! Lentils are soo yummy! :-)

        Reply
    6. Kelly

      November 25, 2015 at 6:20 pm

      What a heart and comforting meal! I love that you used lentils in this bolognese sauce! It looks delicious!

      Reply
      • Sina

        November 27, 2015 at 6:23 pm

        Thank you, Kelly. So glad you like it!

        Reply
    7. Natalie | Feasting on Fruit

      November 24, 2015 at 5:09 pm

      That sauce looks insanely good, I could just eat that alone as a meal! Lentils have so many nutritional benefits, they are seriously a super food. And yes I love Modern Family too :)

      Reply
      • Sina

        November 27, 2015 at 6:34 pm

        Thank you, Natalie! I simply can’t get enough of lentils and I love that they’re so healthy. :-)

        Reply
    8. Amanda

      November 23, 2015 at 9:07 pm

      This looks so yummy! I love lentils and I’m always looking for new, fun things to make with them. Move over, lentil sloppy joes, because this looks like my new favorite!

      Reply
      • Sina

        November 27, 2015 at 6:30 pm

        Thanks Amanda! So glad you like it. :-)

        Reply
    9. Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

      November 23, 2015 at 7:46 pm

      A nice hearty plate of spaghetti is always a favorite, eh? ;)

      Reply
      • Sina

        November 27, 2015 at 6:25 pm

        Haha! Yeah, I could definitely eat spaghetti every day! :-)

        Reply

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    Sina-Veganheaven

    Hi, I'm Sina and this is my recipe blog where I share heavenly simple and sinfully delicious vegan recipes.

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