Lentil Quinoa Bolognese Sauce

5 from 3 votes

This Lentil Quinoa Bolognese Sauce is an incredible vegan version of bolognese sauce that is both hearty and delicious.

Prep Time20

Cook Time40

Total Time1

Course: Dinner, Pasta

Cuisine: American

Keyword: bolognese sauce, lentil quinoa bolognese sauce

Servings:

Calories: 218kcal

1 cup lentils (green, brown, or beluga) I combined green and brown for mine
3 medium carrots peeled, cut into 4 large pieces
2 cups water
2 tablespoons olive oil
½ small onion chopped
2 medium bell pepper cored, seeded and chopped
3 cloves garlic chopped
20 ounces crushed tomatoes
1 ½ teaspoons dried oregano
1 tablespoon dried basil
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes or crushed dried chiles optional
1 small bunch kale stems removed and torn into small pieces
½ cup quinoa rinsed well
½ cup red wine You can substitute 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar instead of the red wine.
Salt and pepper to taste
Cooked pasta for serving (GF)

Add the lentils, carrots, and water to a large soup or stock pot.
Turn the heat to high and cook until the mixture is simmering. Decrease the temperature to low and cover. Cook until the lentils are tender, which should take about 20 to 30 minutes.
While the lentils are cooking, heat the oil in a frying, or saute pan over medium heat.
Add the onion and cook for about 5 minutes, until it's translucent.
Add the bell pepper and the garlic, cook for 1 minute more.
Once the carrots and lentils are cooked remove the carrots from the pot of lentils and add them to a food processor or blender along with the tomatoes, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, kale, and sauteed veggies, and give the food processor a big whir until everything is smooth.
Now add the quinoa and red wine to the pot of lentils. Turn your heat to medium and start cooking, allow it to simmer again, then you can cover it and decrease the heat right down to low. Cook until the quinoa show white tails.
Now add the mixture from the food processor to the lentil-quinoa mixture. Cover and cook over low heat until the sauce comes together and heats up thoroughly. This should take about 20 minutes.
Pile this sauce on top of cooked pasta.
Serve with a big old Pasta Loving smile!