Vegetarian Lentil Spaghetti Sauce

Dive into the hearty, wholesome comfort of this Vegetarian Lentil Spaghetti Sauce, a flavor-packed twist on classic marinara! Loaded with tender lentils, aromatic vegetables, and a rich blend of herbs and spices like smoked paprika and basil, this plant-based sauce is the perfect companion to your favorite pasta. Simmered to perfection with crushed tomatoes and vegetable broth, it delivers a satisfying texture and deep umami flavor, rivaling any meat-based alternative. Ready in under an hour, this high-protein, fiber-rich recipe is both nourishing and family-friendly. Garnish with fresh parsley for a vibrant finish and enjoy a wholesome, vegan-friendly dinner that’s as hearty as it is delicious.

Nutriscore Rating: 81/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1 medium Yellow onion, diced
• 4 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
• 1 large Carrot, finely diced
• 1 large Celery stalk, finely diced
• 1 cup Dry green or brown lentils, rinsed
• 28 ounces Canned crushed tomatoes
• 3 cups Vegetable broth
• 2 tablespoons Tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon Dried basil
• 0.5 teaspoon Smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic, diced carrot, and diced celery. Cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften.

Step 4

Add the lentils to the pan and stir to coat them in the vegetable mixture.

Step 5

Pour in the crushed tomatoes, vegetable broth, and tomato paste. Mix to combine.

Step 6

Stir in the oregano, basil, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and sugar, if using.

Step 7

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pan and let it simmer for 30-35 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the lentils are tender and the sauce thickens.

Step 8

Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.

Step 9

Serve the lentil spaghetti sauce over your favorite pasta, and garnish with chopped fresh parsley, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2174.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1128.8

Total Fat 37.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 6.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.8g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 5276.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 170.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 47.6g	0%
Total Sugars 67.2g
Protein 46.5g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 540.3mg	0%
Iron 20.6mg	0%
Potassium 6064.8mg	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: 28.1%

Protein: 15.4%

Carbs: 56.4%