Bolognese pasta has been one of my favourite dishes since I can remember. My dad used to cook it for the family on special nights like birthdays or celebrations. I know, it is not a fancy meal for special nights but my sister and I were just delighted when he was in the kitchen cooking bolognese pasta for us.
When I decided to stop eating meat, I thought I was going to miss bolognese pasta. Little did I know the vegetarian or vegan bolognese sauce can be just as good. Let me tell you, it can be better than meat bolognese.
After 7 years of being vegetarian, I can proudly say that I have an amazing recipe to keep our family tradition at home with my husband and baby Luca.
You can make this dish quite fast. I used to cut all the vegetables into really small cubes and that would take a bit of time. Now I chop all the ingredients and put them in a food processor for around 1 minute (depends on the food processor you have).
Use pre-cooked lentils to speed up the cooking time. I use brown lentils for this recipe, but we have cooked it sometimes with red lentils and it works fantastic.
Vegan Lentil Bolognese
Ingredients
- 1 large onion
- 2 carrots
- 2 to 3 garlic cloves
- 2 celery stalks
- 1 red bell pepper
- 3 to 4 mushrooms we use white button or portobello mushrooms
- 5 big and juicy tomatoes or passata
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 bay leaves
- 150 gr brown lentils
- ½ cup red wine
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon agave or maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Chop all the vegetables and add them to a food processor. You want to get the vegetables finely chopped as in the picture above.
- Heat the olive oil in a pan on medium heat and add the chopped vegetables together with the bay leaves. Cook for around 15 minutes stirring frequently. You want the tomatoes to release the juice and the rest of the vegetables fully cooked.
- Pour in the red wine and let ithe alcohol cook off for a couple of minutes, then add the lentils, stir and let it cook for a few more minute.
- Add the oregano, sweet paprika, agave or maple syrup and lemon. Stir and remove the bay leaves and turn off the heat.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Finish the sauce by adding yeast flakes before serving.
Notes
- To get a smoother sauce, pour 2 spoonfuls into a blender and blend until smooth consistency. Mix again with the rest of the sauce and it will be ready for serving.
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For more delicious pasta recipes check our Vegan Mac and Cheese and our Vegan Creamy Mushroom Pasta!
ADA says
Yummm! This looks so good. A bowl heaped with so many tasty lentils! lentils have been one of my favourite foods for over half a century, having been brought up on such food. Isn’t it amazing how much one can get done in such a short time when you know exactly what to cook? The wine adds that extra bit of luxurious taste. Thanks for sharing! 😉
Laura says
Thanks Ada! We can make you some next time we are over 🙂
SHANIKA says
This Vegan Bolognese dish looks so amazing! I love how easy it is to make and so jam-packed with flavor!
Laura says
Thank you Shanika!
Veena Azmanov says
Thanks for this Vegan Bolognese option. Very interesting and looks delicious too.
Laura says
Thank you Veena!
Biana says
This looks so good! I usually make the classic Bolognese with meat, and am so excited to try your vegan version!
Laura says
It is still delicious! I find it an amazing option for a meat-free night!
Michele Peterson says
I'm always looking for delicious and easy vegan recipes and this one is a winner! The red wine and mushrooms really elevate this lentil dish to one that's perfect for entertaining!
Laura says
It is as delicious as it sounds! 🙂 Thank you Michele
Lillie says
We've turned vegetarian this month, yet I've been craving bolognese, so I'm adding this to my "To Cook" list!
Laura says
I feel you! Definitely try this recipe, it is perfect!
Sabine says
This vegan lentil bolognese sauce looks so yumm. What a great idea to use lentils for this sauce. I will definitely try this one out and I'm sure it will be delicious!
Laura says
Thank you Sabine! Let us know how it goes 🙂
noel says
That looks really yummy and protein packed without the meat - I'm going to try this.
merryl says
This looks yum! Cannot wait to try it out!
Laura says
Thank you Merryl!
Laura says
This is great for my meatless Monday. I love that it uses lentils in place of ground beef. Hearty and delicious.
Laura says
Let us know how your next meatless monday goes! 🙂
Darla says
This sounds awesome! Can't wait to try it!
Laura says
You should go for it! 🙂
Sarah says
This recipe looks so easy and delicious! Pinning it for later 🙂