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Growing up my Mum would cook versions of Spaghetti Bolognese all the time and it was one of my most favourite dinners. Coincidentally it was also one of the very first meals I managed to cook successfully after moving out of home :)
In Australia Spaghetti Bolognese, traditionally made with beef mince, is a dish you see everywhere. I have been making a vegan Bolognese using lentils for years and this recipe is for one of the simpler versions using tinned tomato soup (a Cam family tradition) for an effortless vegetarian pasta dish that is super filling and tasty.
To cut down the cooking time you could use tinned lentils instead of dried and the dish will be ready in half the time, however, you do get a lovely nutty texture using dried lentils that really adds to the dish. In saying that, if cooking for meat eaters I would increase the cooking time a little as a softer lentil is more reminiscent of mince traditionally used in Spaghetti Bolognese.
Tasty, filling, wonderful delicious and easy to make; serve this vegetarian Bolognese as a great family meal that everyone will enjoy : )
Preparation time: 45mins
Serves 4
- 300g (10.5 oz) wholemeal spaghetti
- 1 brown onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, diced
- 1-2 chillies, diced
- 1 red capsicum (bell pepper), diced
- 1 cup button mushrooms, diced
- 1 cup brown lentils
- 2 cups vegetable stock (I used a no animal content ‘beef’ stock)
- 1 x 450ml (15 fl oz) can condensed tomato soup
- 2 tbs tomato paste
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 1 cup water
- 2 tbs fresh herbs, thyme, oregano or parsley, roughly chopped
Cook the pasta to the packet instructions, strain, toss through olive oil and set aside.
Heat about 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large heavy based frying pan. Add the onion and cook for 1-2 minutes over a medium heat until soft. Add the garlic and chilli, cook for a further minute then add the capsicum and mushrooms.
Cook over a medium heat until the mushrooms are soft, add the dried lentils and toss to combine.
Add the stock, tomato soup, tomato paste, bay leaves and brown sugar; bring to a gentle simmer and cook partly covered for 25-35 minutes, stirring occasionally and adding water as need until the lentils are tender and sauce reduced.
Remove the bay leaves, add the fresh herbs and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Toss through the cooked spaghetti until warm and well combined. Serve as a great family main meal topped with vegan or vegetarian cheese if you like.
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{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
Mmmmm… This looks incredible!! And I really like how you’ve added lentils to this!
I so love this vegetarian version! thanks.
I love how you make classic meat-based recipes so enticing to non-vegetarians too. I will definitely try this!
This is a nice recipe for vegans (like myself). But for a true Bolognese, be sure to omit the red bell peppers. I grew up in Northern Italy and bell peppers are much more commonly used in Southern Italy. Otherwise, this looks really tasty!
Thanks Jennifer & Tigerfish for the lovely comments!!
@Nuts about food ~ thanks so much and glad to hear it :) that’s what Veggie num num is all about!!
@Michele ~ thanks for the great feedback on the recipe, I could imagine you ate the most amazing food growing up in Northern Italy :)
I made your chickpeas yesterday and posted the recipe (under your name). Delicious! I think I need to leave them in a touch longer, seeing your picture again today. They are not quite as brown!
This looks like one for my personal recipe book and I also like the sound of the veggie chilli.
Please keep up the good work.
Petra
sounds yummy! I’ll have to give it a try!
I love the lentils here, besides the protein, they must add great texture to this dish. bookmarked!
Now I’m craving lentils…Your photos are beautiful!! I really hope you will submit this recipe and more to my new “vegan finds” site:
http://www.findingvegan.com
Kathy
@Petra ~ so glad you like the recipes :) thank you!
@elsa & Veggie Belly hope you try the bolognese soon and thanks for dropping in :)
@Kathy ~ thanks so much and wow great vegan foodie site.. great idea and yes I would love to submit some recipes… cheers for the invite :)
This is such a great way to make a carb and meat-loaded dish so much healthier! I made it the other day for dinner when it was raining – the perfect comfort kind of food weather. I did make my own revisions to the recipe though, just one little change. Instead of making the lentils myself, I added Tasty Bite’s Madras Lentils to the sauce mix. The lentils have this great flavor and heartiness about them that went great with the original recipe. I definitely recommend trying this if you’re in a rush as well as checking out the rest of Tasty Bite’s meals, all of which are vegetarian. Thanks for the great recipe idea and bon appetit!
Made it and loved it! Thank you so much for sharing all your nummy recipes :)
Penny the lentils you used sound just right! And yes, pasta is like, one of the all time best comfort foods, isn’t it! Thanks for the great feedback :)
Petal my absolute pleasure, so glad you loved it :)