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Lentil Bolognese

Lentil Bolognese

Cuisine:Italian

Course:Dinner

20m prep 20m cook 40m ready

A hearty lentil bolognese sauce with ground beef, mushrooms, and red lentils served over spaghetti. Topped with toasted pine nuts and pecorino cheese.

Nutrition (per serving, estimated)

Estimated based off 13 of 16 identified ingredients (per 100 g food data, scaled by amount).

Energy
559 cal
Protein
26.3 g
Carbohydrate
88.3 g
Fiber
6.81 g
Sugars
5.89 g
Sodium
318 mg
Total fat
11.7 g
Saturated fat
4.02 g
Monounsaturated fat
4.99 g
Polyunsaturated fat
1.25 g
Vitamins & minerals
  • Calcium: 180 mg
  • Iron: 4.02 mg
  • Magnesium: 78 mg
  • Phosphorus: 382 mg
  • Potassium: 791 mg
  • Zinc: 3.87 mg

Let's Prepare

Collect

Gather these ingredients - no prep needed yet.

  • 2 clove garlic
  • 6 oz button mushrooms
  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 8 oz ground beef
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 can whole tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup dried red lentils
  • 1 lb spaghetti
  • 1/3 cup toasted pine nuts
  • Grated pecorino cheese

Prepare

  • Chop 1 small onion
  • Chop 1 medium carrot

Let's Cook

  1. Step 1.

    In a food processor, pulse together 2 cloves garlic, 1 small chopped onion, 1 medium chopped carrot, and 6 ounces button mushrooms until finely chopped.

  2. Step 2.

    Heat 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped vegetables, ½ teaspoon dried oregano, ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, and ¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper. Cook covered, stirring occasionally, until tender, 4 to 5 minutes.

  3. Step 3.

    Add 8 ounces ground beef (at least 90% lean) to the skillet. Cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until browned, 10 to 12 minutes.

  4. Step 4.

    Stir in 1 tablespoon tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Add 1 (14-ounce) can whole tomatoes with their juices, crushing them with your hands as you add them to the skillet. Add ½ cup dried red lentils, 2 cups water, and the remaining ¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook until lentils are tender, 15 to 20 minutes.

  5. Step 5.

    While the sauce simmers, cook 1 pound spaghetti according to package directions. Drain the pasta.

  6. Step 6.

    Toss the drained spaghetti with the lentil bolognese sauce. Top with ⅓ cup toasted pine nuts (if using) and grated pecorino cheese (if using) before serving.

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