Vegan Lentil Bolognese (with Canned Lentils)

This Vegan Lentil Bolognese (with Canned Lentils) is simple, healthy and really tasty! It is a simple meat free alternative making the most of pantry staples.

why make this Vegan Lentil Bolognese?

This lentil bolognese is definitely not just for vegans and vegetarians! I have ensured it is packed full of flavour as well as vegetables making it tasty, filling and healthy.

Another great thing about this bolognese is it uses pantry staples plus a few fresh vegetables that a lot of people will already have in their kitchens.

Using lentils instead of a meat substitute

Personally I am not a fan of meat substitutes and would prefer to use more vegetables or pulses instead. Don’t get me wrong, swapping beef mince for quorn mince is very easy. However I think my lentil bolognese is a little bit more special.

I like using lentils because they help bulk out a dish whilst also adding texture. If you’re looking for more lentil recipes, check out my Vegan Lentil Chilli and Vegetable & Red Lentil Curry.

You can use quorn mince in this recipe instead of the lentils if you prefer.

The advantages of green lentils

Canned green lentils are not only inexpensive, but they’re quick and easy to use and packed full of nutrients.

Green lentils are loaded with B vitamins, magnesium, zinc, and potassium. They are made up of 25% protein which makes them a great meat alternative.

And they get even better! Green lentils are a great source of fibre and iron which is really beneficial as iron is something people following vegetarian and vegan diets commonly lack.

which green lentils are best to use?

For this lentil bolognese I prefer to use canned green lentils. They are so easy to use and inexpensive. As they are already cooked before they are canned, it helps speed up the cooking process.

All canned lentils need is to be drained and quickly rinsed before you add them to the pan.

If you prefer you can use dried green lentils. You could boil them first and then add them to the pan at the same stage of the recipe as if you were using canned lentils.

Alternatively you could rinse the lentils and then add them to the pan at the same stage as the tinned tomatoes. They may take a little longer to cook so add a splash more water if needed.

Add even more vegetables to your bolognese

This lentil bolognese is the perfect dish to add more vegetables to depending on your preferences and what you have in your fridge.

Diced up courgettes or mushrooms would work perfectly. Peppers and fresh tomatoes would also work well. You could even add some spinach or kale to wilt in at the end. Get creative and use whichever vegetables you fancy.

Can I cook lentil bolognese in a slow cooker?

Yes this bolognese would work really well in a slow cooker. Although green lentils are known for keeping their shape whilst cooking, I wouldn’t recommend adding them at the start.

I would recommend cooking for 2 hours on high before adding the lentils and then cooking for a further 2 hours. You would also need to reduce the amount of water to 200ml.

how to freeze lentil bologense

I love recipes like this because you can make a big batch and freeze portions for quick and easy dinners at a later date.

Transfer the bolognese into freezer containers or bags and freeze for up to three months. When you want to reheat it, leave it to defrost in the fridge for around 8 hours or overnight.

When you reheat it, you can either use a microwave or a pan on the stove. I prefer to reheat mine in a pan because you can see more easily if you need a splash more water or if you need to reduce the sauce slightly.

Always make sure food is piping hot before serving.

How to serve vegan lentil bolognese

Treat this lentil bolognese the same as you would any other bolognese when it comes to serving. I personally like a sprinkle of parmesan on top of mine and vegan alternatives are easily found.

You can serve it with whichever pasta you like. I am definitely not one of those people that has to serve bolognese with spaghetti. If you want to add even more nutrients to your dinner, consider using wholewheat pasta.

A classic addition to bolognese would be garlic bread. You can easily adapt it by using dairy free butter if you want to make it vegan. I would recommend using the block style dairy free butter rather than margarine.

Although pasta is the most common way of serving bolognese, it would be delicious served on top of a baked potato.

Other recipes you might like

• Air Fryer Garlic Bread
• Sweet Potato & Chickpea Curry
• Vegan Lentil Chilli
• Vegetable & Red Lentil Curry
• Roasted Halloumi & Za’atar Tray Bake

Pin for later