Name: Lentil Bolognese
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 2 h
Total time: 2 h 20 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: Vegetarian
Ingredients: 1 onion, finely chopped; 3 cloves of garlic, crushed; 200g of carrot, finely chopped; 200g of zucchini (courgette), finely chopped; 200g of sweet potato (or butternut squash), finely diced; 4 ripe tomatoes, peeled and chopped; 3/4 cup (150g) of dried brown lentils, rinsed; 2 cups (480ml) of passata (or crushed tomatoes); 4 cups (960ml) of vegetable stock; 4 tablespoons of tomato paste; mixed herbs; salt and black pepper; splash of balsamic vinegar; Olive oil spray; Fresh Italian Parsley and basil

Jump to Recipe

Lentil Bolognese - a hearty comforting meat free bolognese packed with lentils, vegetables and rich tomato flavour that is perfect for family dinners and batch cooking. It is filling, budget friendly and a great way to turn a simple bag of lentils into something really delicious.

Lentil Bolognese in a round dish with wooden spoon

Even if you usually make a traditional meat sauce, this lentil version is definitely worth trying. The lentils soak up all the flavours beautifully and give the sauce a lovely texture that works perfectly stirred through pasta. It is also ideal if you are cooking for a mix of vegetarians and meat eaters, as it is the kind of meal everyone can enjoy.

Calories in Lentil Bolognese

This recipe serves 8 and is 193 calories per serving.

If you're looking for more recipes by calories, you'll find plenty of options grouped by calorie range here: Slimming Eats Low Calorie Recipes

If you're following a calorie-controlled diet or a healthy eating plan, it's important to calculate your daily calorie needs using a reliable calorie calculator. The calorie counts provided are estimates and can vary depending on the exact ingredients and portion sizes you use. Using your own calculations helps ensure you're meeting your individual needs. A calorie calculator can help you make informed choices and stay on track with your goals.

See the recipe card for full nutritional estimation.

close up of Lentil Bolognese in a round dish with wooden spoon

Ingredients Notes

To make this recipe you will need the following ingredients:

Onion: Adds sweetness and flavour to the base of the sauce as it cooks down.
Garlic: Fresh garlic adds lots of savoury flavour and works perfectly in a rich tomato based sauce.
Carrot: Adds natural sweetness and helps give the bolognese a lovely hearty texture.
Zucchini (Courgette): Blends beautifully into the sauce while adding extra vegetables and goodness.
Sweet Potato: Adds a subtle sweetness and helps make the sauce extra rich and comforting.
Fresh Tomatoes: Add freshness and extra flavour to the sauce as they cook down.
Dried Brown Lentils: The star of the dish, adding protein, fibre and a delicious hearty texture. Make sure to rinse well before cooking.
Passata or Crushed Tomatoes: Forms the rich tomato base for the bolognese sauce.
Vegetable Stock: Adds depth of flavour and helps cook the lentils until perfectly tender. Be sure to use the right ratio of stock cubes or paste to water for a balanced, tasty broth. Too little and it'll taste flat; too much and it can become overly salty.
Tomato Paste: Adds richness and helps intensify the tomato flavour.
Mixed Herbs: Add extra savoury flavour and work perfectly with the tomato sauce.
Salt and Black Pepper: Important for seasoning and balancing the flavours.
Balsamic Vinegar: Just a small splash helps balance the acidity and adds extra depth to the sauce.
Olive Oil Spray: Used for softening the vegetables without needing lots of oil.
Fresh Italian Parsley and Basil: Add freshness and the perfect finishing touch when serving.

Once you've gathered all the ingredients and prepared them accordingly, you're all set to create this easy and delightful recipe.

See the recipe card for specific quantities and instructions.

Variations and Substitutes

This lentil bolognese is really easy to adapt depending on what vegetables or ingredients you have on hand.

Swap the brown lentils for green lentils if preferred.
Butternut squash works perfectly in place of sweet potato.
Add mushrooms for an even more hearty, meaty texture.
Bell peppers, celery or spinach are great additions for extra vegetables.
If you are not vegetarian, you can add some lean beef or turkey mince alongside the lentils.
A pinch of chilli flakes adds a little warmth to the sauce.
Fresh oregano or thyme work really well alongside the mixed herbs.
Swap the passata for canned chopped tomatoes if preferred.
Stir through a little light cream cheese or mascarpone at the end for a creamier sauce.
Add a splash of red wine for extra richness and depth of flavour.
Top with parmesan, vegetarian hard cheese or nutritional yeast before serving.

Lentil Bolognese being spooned out of a dish

Side Suggestions

This rich hearty lentil bolognese pairs perfectly with all kinds of comforting sides and pasta dishes.

Spaghetti - The classic choice and perfect for soaking up all the delicious sauce.
Penne or Fusilli - Great for holding onto the chunky lentil and vegetable sauce.
Low Carb Pasta alternative - spiralized veggies work perfectly. Zucchini, butternight or use spaghetti squash
Side Salad - A simple green salad adds some freshness alongside the rich tomato sauce.
Roasted Vegetables - Roasted broccoli, zucchini or eggplant all work really well.
Baked Potatoes - Delicious spooned over fluffy baked potatoes for something a little different.
Mashed Potatoes - Creamy mash pairs really well with the rich lentil sauce.
Steamed Greens - Green beans, spinach or broccoli are all great easy vegetable sides.

Storing, Freezing and Reheating

Storing

Allow the lentil bolognese to cool before transferring to an airtight container and storing in the fridge for up to 4 days. The flavours become even richer and more delicious the next day.

Freezing

This recipe freezes really well, making it perfect for batch cooking. Allow to cool completely before transferring to freezer safe containers and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

Reheat gently in a saucepan over a medium low heat until piping hot, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of water or stock if the sauce has thickened too much. You can also reheat portions in the microwave in short bursts, stirring halfway through until heated through.

Lentil Bolognese over spaghetti in a white bowl garnish with a couple of fresh basil leaves.

More Lentil Recipes

Looking for some more recipes using lentils? Check these recipes:

See more Lentil Recipes →

or if you would like more recipe ideas - head on over to the FULL RECIPE INDEX where you will find over 900 delicious recipes with calories and you can search by meal type, ingredients, course, diet and more.

All recipes on Slimming Eats have estimated nutritional information for your convenience.

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Recipe Card

Yield: SERVES 8

Lentil Bolognese

Lentil Bolognese - a rich hearty meat free bolognese packed with lentils, vegetables and delicious tomato flavour that is perfect for comforting family dinners.

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 2 hours

Total Time 2 hours 20 minutes

Ingredients

1 onion, finely chopped
3 cloves of garlic, crushed
200g of carrot, finely chopped
200g of zucchini (courgette), finely chopped
200g of sweet potato (or butternut squash), finely diced
4 ripe tomatoes, peeled and chopped
¾ cup (150g) of dried brown lentils, rinsed
2 cups (480ml) of passata (or crushed tomatoes)
4 cups (960ml) of vegetable stock
4 tablespoons of tomato paste
mixed herbs
salt and black pepper
splash of balsamic vinegar
Olive oil spray
Fresh Italian Parsley and basil

Instructions

Spray a large pot over a medium high heat with some Olive oil spray and add the onion and garlic and fry until softened.
Add the carrot, courgette (zucchini) and sweet potato (or butternut squash) and fry for a further 5 mins. Add a little of the stock to prevent sticking if needed.
Add the lentils and mix well.
Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, stock, mixed herbs and splash of balsamic vinegar
Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for approx 1hr and 30 mins.
Check it a couple of times through cooking time, just incase it looks like too much liquid has been absorbed ,as you may need to add a little more stock/water.
Season with salt and black pepper and top with some chopped fresh Italian parsley and a little basil.
Serve with pasta or another choice of sides.

Notes

Please see below for full nutritional info and additional details about recipe:

Calories - scroll down to nutritional info box
WW Points and other Slimming or Weight Loss programs - due to plans regularly changing and updating, we recommend calculating with the official tools you get as a member to those plans to ensure accuracy of values.
Dairy Free Friendly
Gluten Free Friendly - use gluten free stock
Vegetarian Friendly
❄️ Freezer Friendly - - see storing, freezing and reheating section.

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Nutrition Information

Yield

Serving Size

1 SERVING
Amount Per Serving Calories 193Total Fat 2gSaturated Fat 0gSodium 401mgCarbohydrates 37gFiber 5gSugar 15gProtein 9g

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