Vegan Lentil Bolognese

This vegan lentil bolognese combines lentils, walnuts, and mushrooms for a super hearty, tender, umami-rich vegan bolognese big on flavor, fiber, and protein but a low-budget meal! It’s also gluten-free, vegan, and soy-free!

Hearty Vegan Lentil Bolognese with Walnuts

Lentils are a must-have in any low-budget vegan kitchen. They’re inexpensive but hearty, versatile, and packed with fiber and plant-based protein to keep you full all day. We love using them to make soup, stews, vegan meatballs, and this hearty and comforting vegan lentil bolognese recipe!

This vegan bolognese combines the lentils with rich walnuts, tender, umami-dense mushrooms, and inexpensive pantry staples like canned tomatoes, and several dried herbs. By doing so, it remains budget-friendly but is packed with savory, umami-rich flavors, richness, and a thick, satisfying texture, perfect for replacing traditional bolognese.

Best of all, it comes together with just a dozen inexpensive kitchen/pantry staples in about 45 minutes. Enjoy it immediately with vegan spaghetti, mashed potatoes, or polenta, and/or save leftovers in the fridge or freezer for a low-effort, meal-prep-friendly meal when needed.

Is Lentil Bolognese Healthy?

Lentils, while humble and inexpensive, are a bit of a superfood. They’re loaded with powerful plant compounds (polyphenols) and are a rich source of iron, plant-based protein, and slow-digesting dietary fiber. Studies even show they may benefit cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels.

Meanwhile, walnuts provide richness to the vegetarian bolognese and are packed with nutrients, including protein, fiber, and heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. These are beneficial for heart, skin, eye, brain, and even mental health, while reducing inflammation.

When combined with several nutritious vegetables (carrots and mushrooms, this lentil walnut bolognese is a healthy, wholesome, and delicious (basically all the great adjectives) meal for the entire family!

The Ingredients

• Lentils: It’s best to use green or brown lentils, as they both hold their shape and have a ‘bite.’ Red lentils become mushy but will work in a pinch (cooking time varies). Here’s a guide for more information.
• Walnuts: Use raw, unsalted walnuts (or pecans) pulsed into crumbs in a mini food processor/ blender. For a nut-free version, use sunflower seeds OR hemp seeds.
• Garlic: Fresh garlic cloves are best, but powdered garlic works in a pinch.
• Vegetables: We use a classic, flavorful mirepoix base of yellow onion, carrot, and celery, as well as mushrooms (any I.e., cremini, white, button, chestnut, etc. Shiitake and oyster mushrooms are particularly ‘meaty’).
• Tomatoes: You can use fresh diced tomatoes (if in season) or canned tomatoes (crushed or diced), plus tomato paste from a tube.
• Water: Use vegetable stock (regular or reduced sodium) for more flavor.
• Seasonings: You need a simple combination of pantry spices, like
  • Dried oregano
  • Dried thyme
  • Salt (or soy sauce for added umami)
  • Black pepper
  • Nutritional yeast (optional)
• Sweetener: You can use any sweetener: maple, agave, date paste, sugar, or sugar-free erythritol. This will help balance the acidity in the tomatoes.
• Fresh herbs: (optional) like parsley and basil

What Else Could I Add?

• Kale/spinach: Added in the last few minutes for extra nutrients.  
• Veggies: Add more veggies by including some thickly chopped zucchini with the mirepoix. Shredded sweet potato would also work instead of or alongside the carrot.
• Bay leaves: Add 1-2 to simmer in the sauce for more depth.
• Balsamic vinegar: Use a good-quality balsamic if you have one in your pantry. Add it towards the end for added bright flavor and complex depth.
• For spice: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or chili/cayenne paper.

How to Make Vegan Lentil Bolognese?

• 1) First, sort through (to remove debris) and rinse the lentils. Then, finely dice the onion, carrot, celery, and mushrooms, and mince the garlic.

Alternatively, use a mini food processor to separately pulse the vegetables into your desired consistency.

• 2) Then, heat a medium saucepan or wide, deep skillet over medium heat with a swirl of oil.
• 3) Once hot, add the onion, garlic, carrot, and celery, and sauté for 3-4 minutes until they begin to soften.

If you have time, cook them for a few more minutes until they lightly brown for further flavor complexity in the walnut and lentil bolognese.

• 4) Pour in the vegetable broth to de-glaze, and stir well. Then add the tomatoes and cook, lid on, for 5-6 minutes until they start breaking down.

• 5) Add the tomato paste, water (or broth), oregano, thyme, and lentils. Stir, cover with a lid, and lower to a simmer.

• 6) Simmer the mixture for about 20 minutes, or until the lentils are soft and the sauce is thickening, then add the remaining ingredients and stir well. Adjust the seasonings to taste. Serve and enjoy!

To Make Lentil Spaghetti Bolognese

Cook the spaghetti (or your pasta of choice. Wide-shaped, like tagliatelle/ pappardelle, or pasta with ridges will help the sauce cling) alongside the lentil bolognese. If you want to add more veggies (like broccoli, cauliflower, or kale), you can cook them directly in the pasta water for the last few minutes.

When serving, save some of the pasta water to add to the bolognese. This starchy liquid will help the sauce cling to the pasta noodles.

FAQs

Top Recipe Tips and Notes

• To save time: Use a pre-prepared mirepoix mixture, chopped mushrooms, etc. Alternatively, use a food processor to blitz the veggies until coarsely chopped.
• Adjust the consistency: Instead of chopped veg, you could shred the vegetables for a smoother mouthfeel.
• The simmer time: Like soups and stews, simmering the vegan bolognese for longer will help to develop the flavors further. Add more broth if it becomes a little too thick.

What to Serve with Lentil Bolognese?

• Spaghetti or other pasta (optionally with vegan garlic bread or a side salad)
• With sweet potato, butternut squash, or zucchini noodles
• With mashed potatoes or mashed cauliflower
• Over polenta
• Over a baked potato
• In a lasagna
• Vegan shepherd’s pie
• Over vegan nachos, wedges, or sweet potato fries

How to Store?

Once cooked, store any leftover walnut lentil bolognese in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

It will also freeze well in a freezer-safe Ziplock/Stasher bag or container for 2-3 months. Leave it to thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating it in the microwave or on the stovetop. If it’s too thick, add a little more water/vegetable broth.

More Vegan Lentil Recipes

• Lentil tacos
• Lentil chickpea salad
• Kichari lentil patties
• Rainbow veggie lentil fried rice
• Yellow lentil hummus
• Potato lentil turmeric soup

Photos by Alfonso Revilla