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Lentil Bolognese – vegetarian pasta sauce for pasta
Dinner

Lentil Bolognese – vegetarian pasta sauce for pasta

A warm, hearty lentil bolognese with classic soffritto vegetables, tomato and herbs. It tastes like comfort food, is filling and works well for both weeknights and packed lunches the next day.

TraditionalEverydayDinnerBælgfrugterVegetarianNordisk Fusion
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Rate:
4.0 (1)
45 min total
4 servings
Easy

Ingredients

servings
Units

  • Vegetable base

    • 1 stk onion
    • 2 fed garlic
    • 2 stk carrots
    • 1 stk celery
    • 2 tbsp olive oil

  • Sauce

    • 2 tbsp tomato paste
    • 14.1 oz canned chopped tomatoes
    • 1⅔ cup vegetable broth
    • 7.1 oz red lentils

  • Seasoning and finish

    • 1 tsp dried oregano
    • 1 tsp dried thyme
    • ½ tsp paprika
    • 1 tsp salt
    • ½ tsp black pepper
    • 1.7 fl oz optional splash of cream or coconut milk
    • 1 håndfuld fresh basil (for serving)

  • Side

    • 10.6 oz pasta
    • about 1.1 oz Parmesan (optional)

Instructions

  1. 1

    Prep the vegetables and rinse the lentils

    1. Finely chop the onion, garlic, carrots and celery. Rinse the red lentils thoroughly in cold water.
    2. Rinse the lentils until the water runs clearer — that helps avoid foam and a slightly dusty taste in the sauce.
    10 min
    KnifeCutting BoardColander
  2. 2

    Sauté the base

    1. Heat the olive oil in a pot and sauté the vegetables until soft and sweetly aromatic.
    2. Take your time here — this is what builds the flavor.
    8 min
    Medium heat
    PotSpatula
  3. 3

    Toast the tomato paste and spices

    1. Stir in the tomato paste, oregano, thyme and paprika, and let it cook briefly.
    2. A minute of heat softens the tomato paste and takes away the raw edge.
    2 min
    Medium heat
    PotSpatula
  4. 4

    Add lentils and tomato

    1. Add the rinsed lentils, chopped tomatoes and broth, stir, and let it simmer gently.
    2. Stir now and then, and add a little extra liquid if it gets too thick before the lentils are fully tender.
    20 min
    Low heat
    PotLadle
  5. 5

    Cook the pasta

    1. Cook the pasta al dente in well-salted water while the sauce simmers.
    2. Save a small cup of pasta water — it can help bring the sauce together if you toss everything.
    10 min
    100°C
    PotColander
  6. 6

    Round it out and season

    1. Stir in cream or coconut milk at the end if using, and season with salt and pepper.
    2. It should taste full and warm — without becoming heavy.
    3 min
    Low heat
    PotSpoon
  7. 7

    Serve

    1. Serve the lentil bolognese over pasta and top with basil and Parmesan if you like.
    2. For an extra nice finish, toss the pasta in the pot with a little sauce and a splash of pasta water.
    2 min
    PlateSpoon

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Details

Nutrition

Calories

480kcal

Protein

22g

Fat

14g

Carbs

65g

Serving Size

400g

Serving

Suggestions

  • • Serve right away while the pasta is still hot and the sauce is soft and full-bodied.

Drink Pairings

  • • Alkoholfri: Sparkling water with lemon

Side Pairings

  • • Boiled potatoes or toasted rye for the sauce

Dessert Pairings

  • • Fresh fruit

Storage

Fresh

  • • Duration: 3 days
  • • Temperature: 4°C
  • • Method: Store the sauce in an airtight container in the fridge, and cook pasta fresh when you can.

Frozen

  • • Duration: 2 months
  • • Temperature: -18°C
  • • Method: Freeze the sauce without pasta, then warm it slowly in a pan with a little water or stock.

Tips

Preparation

  • • Chop the vegetables finely so the sauce comes together in a classic way
  • • Rinse the lentils thoroughly so the sauce does not taste dusty

Cooking

  • • Give the vegetables time in the pot so they turn sweet and build the flavor base
  • • Always taste and adjust at the end so salt and acidity sit right

Serving

  • • Often tastes even better the next day once the dish has rested
  • • Serve with basil and Parmesan, or nutritional yeast flakes if it should be vegan

Variations

Flavor

  • Full-bodied
  • Herbs
  • Tomato

Health

  • Vegetarian
  • Classic version

Method

  • Slow-simmered

Toppings

  • Basil
  • Parmesan
  • Nutritional yeast flakes

Author

M

Michael

Nordmad linse-bolognese – et plantebaseret hverdagsmåltid med dybde, varme og balance.

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Author

M

Michael

Nordmad linse-bolognese – et plantebaseret hverdagsmåltid med dybde, varme og balance.