Vegan Ground Beef with Tomato Sauce

Transform your weeknight meal with this rich and hearty Vegan Ground Beef with Tomato Sauce, a plant-based twist on a classic comfort food favorite. Made with tender lentils simmered in a robust tomato sauce infused with smoky paprika, cumin, and a hint of balsamic vinegar, this recipe delivers bold flavors and satisfying textures without any meat or dairy. Nutritional yeast adds a savory, cheesy depth, while fresh basil brightens the dish with a pop of freshness. Perfect as a topping for pasta, a filling for tacos, or over a bed of rice, this versatile vegan recipe is packed with protein and bursting with flavor. Ready in under an hour, it’s a wholesome, delicious option for anyone looking to elevate their plant-based cooking.

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup Lentils
• 3 cups Water
• 1 large Chopped onion
• 3 Garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 2 tablespoons Tomato paste
• 2 cups Chopped tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons Soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon Chili powder
• 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 1 tablespoon Balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons Nutritional yeast
• 0.25 cup Fresh basil, chopped

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the lentils under cold water. In a medium saucepan, combine the lentils with 3 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 25-30 minutes until the lentils are tender but not mushy. Drain and set aside.

Step 2

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, until the onion is translucent and fragrant.

Step 3

Stir in the tomato paste and cook for another 2 minutes, allowing it to become rich in color and flavor.

Step 4

Add the chopped tomatoes to the skillet along with the soy sauce, smoked paprika, ground cumin, chili powder, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine.

Step 5

Reduce the heat to low and let the tomato sauce simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 6

Once the sauce has thickened, add the cooked lentils to the skillet. Stir until the lentils are well-incorporated into the sauce.

Step 7

Pour in the balsamic vinegar and sprinkle the nutritional yeast over the mixture. Stir continuously for 2-3 more minutes to ensure the flavors are evenly distributed.

Step 8

Remove the skillet from heat and garnish with freshly chopped basil. Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary.

Step 9

Serve the Vegan Ground Beef with Tomato Sauce over pasta, rice, or use as a filling for vegan tacos. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1667.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	871.1

Total Fat 42.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 6.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 7.8g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 4055.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 94.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 29.9g	0%
Total Sugars 29.8g
Protein 34.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 442.2mg	0%
Iron 15.5mg	0%
Potassium 2912.7mg	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: 42.5%

Protein: 15.4%

Carbs: 42.1%