1-Pot Lentil Bolognese

This easy 1-Pot Lentil Bolognese recipe puts a plant based spin on the classic Italian sauce. With almost addictively rich flavors and plenty of protein, it’s a satisfying vegan dinner!

Want to include hearty lentils in your dinner routine more often? Try The Best Lentil Soup, Lentil Dahl, Lentil Salad and my Best Vegan Lasagna, which features hidden lentils in the sauce.

bowl with pasta and lentils, bread, carrots and lentils around it

Forget everything you know about boring, flavorless pasta sauces; this homemade vegan Lentil Bolognese is so much better!

Traditional bolognese is a popular Italian pasta sauce that slow-cooks beef, sofrito vegetables (onion, carrots, and celery), tomatoes, and Italian seasonings over several hours. My bolognese may be quicker than the classic but it doesn’t lack charm or flavor!

To make this stick to your ribs sauce, I used high-quality pantry staples like lentils, crushed tomatoes, and dried herbs. This keeps the process easy and budget-friendly, so you can always rely on it for everyday family meals or meal prep. Serve it over bowls of pasta for a meal that everyone can get on board with!

speckled bowl with a fork getting some lentil pasta on it

Why I love this lentil bolognese

Simple ingredients, big flavor – Lentils fill this pasta sauce with protein (and fiber) so you stay full for hours. Meanwhile, a handful of vegetables, canned tomatoes, and simple seasonings build on the layers of flavor, making this sauce robust and comforting.
Easier than the classic – Not only does my bolognese require fewer ingredients than the classic, but it’s also ready in less than an hour.
A meal prep must-have – This recipe makes a ton of sauce, which you can freeze for later and use for quick dinners or your weekly meal prep!

How to make lentil bolognese

Warm the olive oil in a large skillet and sauté the onion for 5 minutes. Add the carrots, garlic, dried spices and salt and cook for 3-4 minutes.

Add the tomato paste and cook for about a minute. Pour the wine in (if using) and deglaze the pan, scraping any bits off the bottom.

Add the lentils, walnuts and broth. Stir well, bring to a boil then lower heat and simmer for 40 minutes, until the lentils are tender.

lentils and carrots in a reddish sauce in a pot

Stir in the crushed tomatoes and balsamic vinegar. Cook for an additional 10-15 minutes.

pot with lentils and red sauce in it, unstirred

Scoop it over bowls of cooked pasta of your choice, then garnish with chopped fresh basil and vegan parmesan. Enjoy!

The lentil bolognese is also really good serve with crusty bread, over polenta or even baked potatoes.

pot with rich red lentil bolognese sauce with a ladle

Frequently asked questions

How do you serve lentil bolognese?

Bolognese is best served with spaghetti, pappardelle, and tagliatelle pasta. The sauce clings very well to these long and flat noodles, preventing it from pooling at the bottom of the bowl. Short, tube-shaped pasta noodles, like rigatoni or tubini, work well, too. I used this pappardelle, which is vegan friendly.

Gluten free? The bolognese is naturally gluten free, so feel free to serve it with your favorite gluten free pasta noodles or zucchini noodles instead.

Do you need to soak the lentils overnight?

Soaking lentils isn’t necessary because they cook fairly quickly in this sauce. However, if you want to hurry them along, you can soak them in cool water for 30 minutes before cooking.

What kind of lentils should I use?

I really like the recipe with a firmer lentil, like French green lentils or black lentils. You can use brown, green or even red though. Red lentils will take less time to cook.

Can you freeze lentil bolognese?

Yes, the sauce freezes very well! To do so, wait for the sauce to cool before transferring it to an airtight container, then freeze for up to 6 months.

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