30 Minute Spicy Lentil Bolognese

Name: 30 Minute Spicy Lentil Bolognese
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 2 cups lentils, cooked; 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil; 2 cloves garlic, finely minced; 1/2 medium onion, chopped (1 ¼ cups); 1 15 oz can fire roasted tomatoes (I used Trader Joe’s Diced Fire Roasted Tomatoes with Green Chiles)*; ((1-2 green chiles, diced if not in your tomatoes!)); 1 15 oz can crushed tomatoes with basil; 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped; 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano; Pinch of smoked paprika; 1/4 teaspoon chili powder; 1/4 teaspoon red chili powder; 2 zucchinis, spiralized (alternative: whole wheat pasta)

August 21, 2015

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This 30 Minute Spicy Lentil Bolognese is a meat-free twist on everyone’s favorite pasta dish! With a spicy kick, this comfort food favorite gets a plant-based twist thanks to iron-rich, fiber-filled, and protein-packed lentils.

Vegan, Gluten Free, Grain Free, Dairy Free, Nut Free

It’s that time of the month again…Recipe Redux time!!!

Here’s how it works: Every month there’s a theme and group of health-minded bloggers share recipes reflecting that theme. This months theme is Back to the Dinner Table…just in time for back to school!

“After the hustle and bustle of the holiday/vacation season, August is the time many families get ‘back to routine.’ Show us your favorite recipe to help families get ‘back to the dinner table.’”

If you haven’t read my previous Redux contributions, check out these DELISH recipes:

Summer Panzanella Salad
Nut-Free Chocolate Chip Lara Bar Lookalikes
Bean Burger Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Vegan Chocolate Banana Pudding Pie

But about this spicy lentil bolognese…

Nirvana. Not joking. One of the best things I’ve ever made in under 30 minutes with SO much flavor. I proceeded to eat it all week long. Once again, not joking. Five days in a row of this baby!

I’m not totally crazy. I know bolognese specifically means “meat sauce,” but I have no other way to describe this OUT OF THIS WORLD lentils in tomato sauce dish. Meat eaters and abstainers will both go co-co for cocoa puffs over this hearty vegan sauce AKA spicy lentil bolognese!

And the best part?! This totally happened by accident!

I got home late from work and needed food ASAP. When that happens I take everything out of my fridge and somehow something ends up on my plate. I had some cooked lentils from TJs, marinara sauce, zucchini and basil. I was even too hungry to whip out my spiralizer so I just used a vegetable peeler to make wide strands, cooked them with some garlic and onion, added the sauce and threw lentils on top. Then I mixed it all together and BOOM…best. dinner. ever!

Of course I set out to remake this creation because I knew I had to share. Now, I know I’m not the first one to make a lentil “bolognese,” but this version is molto bene!

I whipped up a quick sauce from scratch, but fear not, this is not a slave over the stove type of sauce. Literally 30 minutes to a great tasting, fresh, flavorful red sauce! Easy enough to put a weeknight dinner on the table in no time!

Here’s how to make it…

Simply saute some onions and garlic, add fire roasted tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, chiles, fresh herbs and spices. Bring it to a boil and then let it simmer for a little while to thicken.

Add your lentils and you’re nearly done! You can use store-bought cooked lentils or cook lentils yourself to save a pretty penny.

If these 30 minutes are still too much, I highhhhly recommend throwing some store bought (no added sugar!) marinara sauce together with some lentils and stuff your face because it’s unbelievable. Try to add the fresh parsley and basil because it’s that much better.

[Tweet “30 Minute Spicy Lentil Bolognese {Vegan/Gluten Free/Grain Free/Dairy Free} via @ChelseyAmerRD”]

This Spicy Lentil Bolognese is…

Made in 30 minutes
100% meat-free
Full of plant-based protein and iron
Delicious
Satisfying
Comforting
Easy for even beginners