Lentils Bolognese
To cook, place lentils in a pot and cover with 2 cups water for every 1 cup lentils. Add a pinch of salt, bring to a boil, and then reduce to a simmer, partially covered, for 20–25 minutes. Once cooked, drain the lentils if there is any remaining water and set aside to cool.
Servings
6people
Servings
6people
Ingredients
  • 1tablespoon butter
  • 2tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  • ½ carrot, small dice
  • ½ yellow onion, small dice
  • 1teaspoon sea salt plus 2 pinches, divided
  • 4ounces button mushrooms, diced
  • 2cloves garlic, minced
  • ½teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 bay leaf
  • ½teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • ¾cup red wine
  • 1(28-ounce) can San Marzano tomatoes
  • 1tablespoon tomato paste
  • 2cups vegetable broth
  • 1½teaspoons natural cane sugar
  • Pinch black pepper
  • 8ounces whole-wheat spaghetti
  • 4cups spiralized raw zucchini noodles
  • 1¼cups cooked Puy, beluga or brown lentils (from ⅔ cup dry lentils)
  • ¼cup finely chopped fresh basil
  • Parmesan cheese
Instructions
  1. In a large saucepan over medium-low, melt butter with 1 tablespoon olive oil and stir in diced carrot and onion with a pinch of salt. Cook until tender, 6 minutes.
  2. Add mushrooms and cook 3–5 minutes, until mushrooms begin to release their juices. Add a pinch more salt.
  3. Stir in garlic, oregano, bay leaf and red pepper flakes. Cook 1 minute. Add wine and stir to deglaze pan. Cook 4 minutes to reduce liquids.
  4. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, broth, sugar, 1 teaspoon sea salt and pinch of black pepper. Simmer partially covered for 45 minutes. Use the end of a wooden spoon to smash and break up tomatoes, and stir occasionally. Keep warm over low heat.
  5. While Bolognese sauce is cooking, cook whole-wheat pasta according to package instructions. Drain, then stir in zucchini noodles and drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Set aside.
  6. When sauce is done, remove bay leaf. Stir in cooked lentils and ¼ cup basil.
  7. Serve sauce over zucchini and pasta noodles, and garnish with additional basil and Parmesan shavings.