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Lentil bolognaise

By Blua | Digital health by Bupa

Published 14 March 2025


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A bowl of lentil bolognaise on a counter with a spoon and piece of toasted bread resting in it.

There’s nothing quite as comforting as the feeling of digging in to a rich, aromatic bolognaise at the end of a long day’s work.

This hearty pasta sauce is high in fibre and protein, low in saturated fat, and an easy way to get a variety of veggies into your diet. It’s also a great option if you need to use up any produce in your fridge drawer or are looking for a cheaper alternative to a traditional bolognaise. You can batch cook the sauce and portion it into airtight containers to store in the freezer for a quick and healthy weeknight meal, or serve with wholegrain pasta and a sharp Parmesan cheese.

Prep time

15m

Cook time

30m

Serves

6

Ingredients

18

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 1 red capsicum, chopped
  • 2 celery sticks, chopped finely
  • 2 large carrots, grated
  • 1 large zucchini, grated
  • 800g canned chopped tomatoes
  • 140g tomato paste
  • 400g canned brown lentils, rinsed and drained
  • 400g red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 bunch basil leaves, chopped
  • 1 bunch parsley, chopped
  • Pepper, to taste
  • Pasta or spaghetti

Method

Step 1:

Heat oil in a large pan over a medium heat. Brown onion and garlic until soft.

Step 2:

Add all vegetables and cook for about 5 minutes or until vegetables are soft.

Step 3:

Add canned tomatoes, tomato paste, lentils and kidney beans, and bring mixture to the boil. Add water if needed.

Step 4:

Once boiling, turn down the heat and simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 5:

Add basil, parsley, and pepper to sauce just before serving. Serve with 3/4 cup of pasta (check the packet for cooking instructions).

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