Lentil Spaghetti

Elevate your weeknight dinners with this hearty and wholesome Lentil Spaghetti recipe, a plant-based twist on the classic Italian favorite! Featuring al dente spaghetti paired with a rich, savory sauce made from protein-packed lentils, tomatoes, and aromatic herbs like oregano and basil, this dish is as satisfying as it is nutritious. Sautéed onion, carrot, celery, and garlic form the flavor-packed base for the sauce, while a dash of vegetable broth adds extra depth. Perfect for vegetarians and easily adaptable for a vegan diet, this budget-friendly meal comes together in just 45 minutes and serves four generously. Finish with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese or fresh basil for a beautifully fresh and comforting dinner-night centerpiece!

Nutriscore Rating: 81/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 400 grams dry spaghetti
• 1.5 cups brown or green lentils (cooked or canned, drained and rinsed if canned)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 1 medium carrot, finely diced
• 1 medium celery stalk, finely diced
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 400 grams canned crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 cup vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 0 parmesan cheese (optional, for serving)
• 0 fresh basil leaves (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Once boiling, add the spaghetti and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 2

In a large skillet or saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat.

Step 3

Add the chopped onion, carrot, and celery to the pan, and sauté for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are softened.

Step 4

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 5

Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and vegetable broth to the pan. Stir to combine.

Step 6

Mix in the cooked lentils, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 7

Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if needed.

Step 8

Serve the cooked spaghetti topped with the lentil tomato sauce.

Step 9

Optionally, garnish with grated parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves before serving. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1777.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2436.3

Total Fat 40.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 7.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.4g
Cholesterol 4mg	0%
Sodium 2566.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 429.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 54.8g	0%
Total Sugars 51.0g
Protein 95.4g	0%

Vitamin D 2IU	0%
Calcium 501.4mg	0%
Iron 22.4mg	0%
Potassium 4993.1mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 14.8%

Protein: 15.5%

Carbs: 69.8%