Lentil Bolognese over Spaghetti

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A hearty, meatless Bolognese made with lentils, tomatoes, and aromatic herbs, served over al dente spaghetti. This italian-inspired 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.

Prep: 30 min Cook: 40 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Cook spaghetti according to package instructions, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water. Set aside.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Step 5: Toss spaghetti with Bolognese sauce. Garnish with additional basil and black pepper.

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.

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