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A close-up of a pot filled with hearty lentil bolognese stew in a tomato-based sauce, garnished with chopped parsley and stirred with a wooden spoon. The pot rests on a checkered kitchen towel.
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4.12 from 9 votes

Lentil Bolognese

This simple, lentil bolognese is hearty, comforting and full of flavor - everything a pasta sauce should be. This easy recipe can be made in one pot on the stove or in a crockpot. Serve it over spaghetti - or even spaghetti squash for a healthy alternative.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Total Time55 minutes
Course: Mains
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: bolognese sauce with lentils, bolognese with lentils, dairy free, easy, gluten free, lentil bolognese, lentil bolognese sauce, lentil bolognese sauce recipe, lentil bolognese spaghetti, lentil spaghetti bolognese, lentils, lentilsdairy free, pasta, pasta sauce, vegan, vegetarian
Servings: 6
Calories: 251kcal
Author: Melissa Belanger

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 1/2 cups sweet onion diced
  • 2 carrots grated (about 1 cup)
  • 3 celery stalks diced (about 1 cup)
  • 4 garlic cloves minced (about 1 tablespoon)
  • 1/2 - 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional
  • 8 ounces dried lentils rinsed and picked through
  • 1 28- ounce can crushed tomatoes
  • 3 cups vegetable stock
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 tablespoon dried basil
  • 1/2 tablespoon dried parsley
  • 1 teaspoon coarse salt

Instructions

Stovetop instructions:

  • Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium-high.
  • Add onion, celery, carrots with a pinch of salt. Sauté, stirring occasionally, until the onion is translucent and the vegetables have softened - about 5 minutes.
  • Add garlic and continue to cook until fragrant, about 1 minutes.
  • Add the remaining ingredients and cover the skillet. Bring to liquid to a strong simmer and allow the lentils to cook until softened, about 30 minutes.
  • If needed, add additional water to thin sauce and adjust seasoning with salt & pepper before serving.

Slow cooker instructions:

  • Add all the ingredients to a slow cooker, mix together until combined.
  • Cook on low for 4 - 5 hours, or until lentils have softened and sauce is thick.
  • Add water to thin out sauce if necessary, and adjust seasoning with salt & pepper to taste.

Nutrition

Calories: 251kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 6g | Sodium: 1064mg | Fiber: 15g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin C: 18mg