Vegan Lentil Bolognese Recipe - Veggies Don't Bite (2024)

This vegan lentil bolognese recipe is hearty and so flavorful. Made with lentils, veggies and herbs for a satisfying and nutritious meal!

If you need to satisfy your pasta craving, this vegan bolognese will hit the spot. Perfect texture and flavors that are pure deliciousness!

Ingredients

The secret to this vegan bolognese... is mint. Fresh delicious mint. My mom always put mint in her bolognese and it’s genius. Seriously, the taste is incredible! It adds such an awesome level of flavor.

And mixed with fresh basil and oregano, then combined with fresh, not jarred, tomato purée just makes this dish. There’s something about fresh tomato purée that gets me every time. Plus all the hidden veggies make this an awesome dish to serve to picky kids who don't want to try new things!

Gather the following ingredients to make this vegan bolognese with lentils:

• Lentils- these are a great source of plant-based protein and act as a meat substitute in this bolognese recipe. Use dried lentils, do not boil them first. If you do use cooked lentils, add them in after simmering the sauce. Choose the lentil right for you, see below for details.
• Tomatoes - fresh tomatoes, especially if you have in season home grown tomatoes, will give you the absolute best taste.
• Herbs - a blend of fresh basil, mint, and oregano give this recipe the perfect fresh taste. Dried herbs will not give you the same results.
• Onion - yellow or sweet onions can be used for their more neutral taste. Just avoid red onions as their flavor can overwhelm everything else.
• Garlic - fresh garlic cloves that you freshly mince are the best option. However, in a pinch you can use jarred minced garlic.
• Mushrooms - these help to give that rich umami flavor, cremini or baby bella are good options, but any variety really will do.
• Carrots - these help to not only add extra nutrients to the pasta sauce, but also a deep, rich flavor that is too good!
• Kale - feel free to substitute for your favorite greens.
• Salt & pepper

Types of Lentils to Use

Lentils have so many benefits! They're packed with protein, fiber and iron as well as B vitamins, magnesium, potassium and zinc. They also have compounds called phytochemicals which are great for fighting off disease. They are a great meat alternative and overall well rounded food.

When it comes to this easy lentil bolognese recipe, you need to make sure you are using the right kind. The spectrum of lentils goes from soft to firm.

Red and yellow lentils are the softest because they are split so are best used in recipes like dal or curry. If you want a super soft end result, red lentils work well.

For a bit more texture and chew you want to choose a brown, green or black lentil base. Brown is the softest of the three, so you still need to be careful not to overcook it. Green are firmer and black are the most firm. They both give a great chew to dishes where you are trying to recreate a meaty texture.

How To Make Lentil Bolognese

Just a few steps stand between you and the most delicious vegan bolognese! Here's what to do:

1. Pulse the lentils to break them up a bit (you can also do this at the end).
2. Sauté the lentils with the onion and garlic to toast them up. Use olive oil, or vegetable broth to keep the recipe oil free.
3. Add in everything else to the large pot.
4. Serve and enjoy!

What to Serve With Vegan Bolognese

At the very least, make sure to sprinkle on some vegan parmesan cheese for a tasty finishing touch, or some red pepper flakes for some heat!

I love putting this lentil bolognese recipe over gluten-free pasta, but I also have many other uses for it! Here are some of our favorite foods to spoon it over:

• Spaghetti squash
• Zucchini noodles
• Baked potatoes
• Oven Baked Fries
• Polenta

You can also use it in the following plant based recipes as a meaty filling or topping:

• Lasagna
• Vegan Moussaka Recipe
• Greek Vegan Pastit*io
• Vegan Yemista Greek Stuffed Tomatoes and Peppers
• Ultimate Vegan Nachos Recipe

Pair your lentil spaghetti bolognese with these sides:

• Greek Salad
• Lemon Kale Salad
• Vegan Caesar Salad
• Baked Eggplant Fries

Preparation Tips

• You can use precooked lentils, but add them at the end like the instructions say.
• I like to pulse my lentils a bit in a food processor while dry to get a chopped up feel.
  • You can also pulse this after it is cooked.
  • Or, just keep them whole and it's just as good.
• This is not a “saucy” recipe, but if you prefer it to have more liquid you can add more tomatoes, or even some crushed or chopped jarred tomatoes.
  • You can also make it more similar to marinara sauce by adding in some tomato paste and sauce.
• Add an even richer flavor by pouring in a splash of red wine or balsamic vinegar along with the tomatoes.

Meal Prep and Storage Tips

Make this vegan lentil bolognese ahead of time, or at least make a big batch so you can save the extras for later! I love doubling my recipe and freezing it.

• Make sure it's completely cool before storing.
• Seal in an airtight container.
• Refrigerate for up to 3-5 days.
• Freeze for up to 3 months.
  • When freezing lentil bolognese, place a sheet of plastic wrap over the top so that it is touching the sauce, this helps avoid freezer burn.
  • When you are ready to eat, allow it to defrost on the counter or in the refrigerator.
• Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.

How do you “veganize” bolognese?

The traditional bolognese that originated in Bologna, Italy is a meat based sauce. Some have vegetables, some have milk, and some even have other meats like ham. It takes on many forms and personalizations. I even have a few different versions myself. You can try this Classic Healthy Bolognese Sauce (Vegan) that takes on a "ham" like flavor with a special secret ingredient.

How do you flavor lentils?

Lentils don't have that much flavor, but will take on the flavors of whatever you put in them. Depending on the type of lentil you use, you will have undertones of sweet to earthy so pair the end result you are looking for with the type of lentil you use.

How long does it take to cook lentils?

Lentils don't take too long to cook, but it depends on the type of lentil. For split lentils like red or yellow, it only takes about 5-7 minutes. For whole lentils, about 15-20 minutes. (I've done a whole post on how to cook lentils that you may find helpful!)

Does celery go in bolognese?

Because bolognese can have many versions, some people do choose to add it. I don't put celery in this vegan bolognese, but it won't negatively impact the recipe if you wanted to add this in.

What does bolognese sauce taste like?

Bolognese is compared most closely to Italian Ragu. The tomato flavor is prevalent, but it can also take on the flavor of the veggies you add in. Some bolognese has a smoky flavor due to the addition of ham.

Vegan Lentil Bolognese Recipe

Sophia DeSantis

This vegan lentil bolognese recipe is hearty and so flavorful. Made with lentils, veggies and herbs for a satisfying and nutritious meal!

Shop Ingredients on Jupiter

Recipe by Veggies Don’t Bite, visit our site for more great plant-based recipes.

Nutrition

Calories: 222kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 16gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 417mgPotassium: 985mgFiber: 18gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 4338IUVitamin C: 28mgCalcium: 84mgIron: 5mg

Nutrition and metric information should be considered an estimate.

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