Lentil pasta

This lentil pasta is one of those easy weeknight dinners that checks all the boxes- quick, filling, budget-friendly, and packed with plant-based protein. This hearty lentil pasta combines tender pasta, protein-rich lentils, vegetables, and a flavorful tomato sauce for a comforting meal that's ready in just 20 minutes.

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Diet Vegan, Vegetarian

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 15

Total Time 20

Servings

Calories 307kcal

Author Vandana Chauhan

Equipment

1 Large cooking pot
1 Large strainer
1 large pan or skillet
1 Spatula
Knife and chopping board

Ingredients

300 grams uncooked pasta around 2 cups
300 grams cooked green or brown lentils around 2 cups
1 medium onion finely chopped
3-4 garlic cloves minced
1 medium red bell pepper finely chopped
¼ cup finely chopped parsley
1 cup any tomato-based pasta sauce
1 tablespoon tomato paste
3 tablespoons nutritional yeast
1 teaspoon dried basil
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Salt to taste
1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

Boil water in a large pot. Add pasta and cook al dente following package instructions.
While the pasta is getting cooked, heat olive oil in a pan. Add chopped onion and red bell pepper. Cook on medium heat until the onions turn translucent.
Add minced garlic, tomato paste, and all the seasonings. Cook for a minute.
Add pasta sauce and mix. Cook for 1-2 minutes.
Add lentils and cook with the sauce for a minute.
Strain pasta and add to the pan. Mix.
Add nutritional yeast and chopped parsley.

Video

Notes

Cook the pasta just until al dente, so it doesn't become mushy when mixed with the sauce.
Before draining the pasta, reserve some pasta water. Reserved pasta water works well as a cooking liquid and can loosen the sauce if it becomes too thick.
Both homemade and canned lentils work well in this recipe.
Green lentils and brown lentils are the best choices because they hold their shape after cooking.
Small pasta shapes work best since they match the size of the lentils and create a more balanced texture.
Finely chop the bell peppers so they blend nicely into the sauce.
Feel free to add extra vegetables such as mushrooms, spinach, zucchini, or carrots.
Increase the red pepper flakes if you enjoy a spicier pasta dish.
Add olives or sun-dried tomatoes for extra Mediterranean flavor.
For extra flavor, add a little more fresh parsley, black pepper, chili flakes, nutritional yeast, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice before serving.
More recipe tips, tricks, and variation suggestions are shared in the post above. Please follow them to make this recipe.

Nutrition