£4, 4 Portions: Lentil Bolognese

Looking for a hearty, budget-friendly meal that’s packed with nutrition and flavour?

This Lentil Bolognese is a fantastic plant-based alternative to the traditional meat-based version, costing just £4 to serve four portions.

With a medley of fresh vegetables, rich tomatoes, and protein-rich lentils, this dish delivers warmth, taste, and a satisfying texture that everyone will love.

The combination of blended vegetables and lentils creates a thick, wholesome sauce that clings beautifully to spaghetti – an ideal recipe for a cosy night in.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s a list of everything you’ll need to make this Lentil Bolognese recipe:

• Olive oil
• 1 white onion
• 2 carrots
• 1 courgette
• 3 celery stalks
• 2 tins of chopped tomatoes
• 1 tin of green lentils
• 300g spaghetti
• Salt and pepper to taste

Why Lentils Are a Great Meat Alternative

Lentils are a fantastic, affordable substitute for meat in bolognese.

Not only do they provide a similar hearty texture, but they’re also packed with essential nutrients like protein, iron, and fibre.

Green lentils, in particular, hold their shape well during cooking, making them perfect for a dish like this.

They absorb the tomato sauce beautifully, creating a satisfying, plant-based bolognese that even meat-lovers will enjoy.

Adding Depth with Simple Ingredients

Building layers of flavour is key to making a great lentil bolognese.

The combination of carrots, celery, and courgette is a classic base for sauces, known as a ‘soffritto’ in Italian cooking.

This mix creates a savoury foundation that makes the sauce taste richer and more complex.

Simmering these ingredients with tomatoes and lentils allows the flavours to deepen and intensify, resulting in a sauce that feels like it’s been cooking all day.

Tips for Customising the Flavour

This lentil bolognese is versatile and can easily be tailored to your taste.

Add a sprinkle of dried herbs like oregano, thyme, or basil for an Italian-inspired twist.

If you enjoy a bit of heat, a pinch of crushed red chilli flakes will add warmth without overwhelming the dish.

To enhance the umami flavours, try stirring in a splash of soy sauce or a pinch of smoked paprika. These small additions can transform the sauce and make it uniquely yours.

Pairing Suggestions for a Complete Meal

While this lentil bolognese is satisfying on its own, pairing it with a side dish can elevate the meal.

A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette or some steamed green beans add a fresh contrast to the rich sauce.

Garlic bread or a slice of crusty bread is perfect for mopping up every last bit of sauce.

For something extra hearty, consider serving with a sprinkle of nutritional yeast or grated parmesan if you’re not strictly plant-based – it adds a lovely depth of flavour.

How to Make This Recipe

Step 1: Sauté the Onion

Add a generous splash of olive oil to a large pan and heat over medium.

Finely dice the white onion, then add it to the pan, frying until it becomes translucent.

Sautéing the onion enhances its sweetness, providing a savoury depth that becomes the base for the rich flavours of the bolognese.

Step 2: Prepare and Add the Vegetables

Wash and finely dice the carrot, courgette, and celery.

Add these vegetables to the pan, cover, and cook for about five minutes.

This gives the vegetables a chance to soften and release their natural sweetness, which will enhance the flavour of the sauce.

The carrots bring a subtle sweetness, the courgette adds creaminess, and the celery contributes a slightly peppery bite.

Step 3: Simmer with Tomatoes and Lentils

Add the chopped tomatoes and the tin of green lentils, including their water, to the pan.

Stir everything well, then cover and let it simmer for 30 minutes.

This gentle cooking allows the flavours to meld, and the tomatoes break down, creating a rich and hearty sauce.

Lentils are a great plant-based protein source, and they add a pleasant, meaty texture to the dish.

Step 4: Blend for a Creamier Consistency

Remove two ladles of the sauce and blend it until smooth, then add it back to the pan.

Mixing in this purée adds thickness and creates a wonderfully creamy texture.

This step is key for achieving the signature consistency of a good bolognese, making the sauce thick enough to cling to every strand of spaghetti.

Step 5: Combine with Spaghetti and Serve

Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions, then drain and add it directly to the sauce.

Toss well to coat each strand, ensuring every bite is full of rich, savoury flavour.

Season with salt and pepper to taste, then serve warm for a comforting, filling meal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this lentil bolognese ahead of time?

Yes, this lentil bolognese is perfect for batch cooking.

Prepare the sauce, let it cool, then store it in the fridge for a few days.

You can reheat it on the stove or microwave before adding freshly cooked spaghetti.

What other pasta works well with this sauce?

Spaghetti is classic, but this sauce pairs well with any pasta shape that holds sauce, like rigatoni, penne, or fettuccine.

If you prefer a wholegrain or gluten-free pasta, those work well, too.

Can I use red lentils instead of green?

Green lentils hold their shape better, making them ideal for this recipe.

Red lentils tend to break down and create a softer texture, which can make the sauce thicker.

If you prefer a smoother sauce, red lentils could be a good choice.

Is there a way to make the sauce thicker without blending?

To thicken without blending, let the sauce simmer uncovered for an additional 10-15 minutes, allowing more liquid to evaporate.

Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. This will create a naturally thicker, more concentrated sauce.

Can I add extra vegetables to the sauce?

Absolutely! This recipe is flexible, and you can add other veggies like mushrooms, bell peppers, or spinach.

Simply chop them finely and add them in with the other vegetables for a nutrient boost.

And that’s it for this Lentil Bolognese recipe. You can find the whole thing on a handy recipe card just below, so be sure to Pin it for later!

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