Lentil Bolognese over Spaghetti
A hearty, meatless Bolognese made with lentils, tomatoes, and aromatic herbs, served over al dente spaghetti. This italian-inspired vegan (vegan) ready in about 70 minutes pairs spaghetti, cooked lentils, brown, tomato puree for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 1 cup, cooked lentils, brown
- 1 cup tomato puree
- 1 medium, diced onion
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1/2 cup, diced carrots
- 1/2 cup, diced celery
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp basil
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook spaghetti according to package instructions, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water. Set aside.
- Step 2: In a large skillet, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5-6 minutes until softened.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Add 1 cup tomato puree, 1 cup vegetable broth, 1 tsp oregano, 1 tsp basil, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Simmer for 20 minutes.
- Step 4: Fold in cooked lentils and stir to combine. If mixture is too thick, add reserved pasta water, 1-2 tbsp at a time, until desired consistency is reached.
- Step 5: Toss spaghetti with Bolognese sauce. Garnish with additional basil and black pepper.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Lentil Bolognese over Spaghetti take to make?
Total time is about 70 minutes (30 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Lentil Bolognese over Spaghetti?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep spaghetti from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Lentil Bolognese over Spaghetti?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Lentil Bolognese over Spaghetti for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Lentil Bolognese over Spaghetti vegan?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegan based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
So much better than takeout. We'll never order italian delivery again.
- ★★☆☆☆
The proportions seem off. Way too much of some ingredients.
