Make-ahead marinated lentils give heft, protein, and a rich earthy flavor to this pantry-only pasta dinner. The secret is to use some in the sauce and save some to sprinkle over the top for texture and flavor contrast. The small amount of bacon in the sauce is optional, but highly recommended.
Provided by Anna Stockwell
Categories Olive Oil Bacon Onion Garlic Wine Tomato Pasta Butter Parmesan
Yield 4-6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Heat oil and bacon (if using) in a large Dutch oven or other heavy pot over medium, stirring, until bacon starts to sizzle, about 1 minute. Add onion and garlic and cook until onion is translucent, 5-8 minutes. Add harissa paste and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly darkened in color, about 5 minutes. Add wine and cook, scraping up browned bits and stirring occasionally, until wine is reduced by half, about 3 minutes.
- If using whole tomatoes, use kitchen shears or a pairing knife to burst each in the can (this will prevent juice from squirting on your shirt when you crush them). Add to pot, crushing with your hands as you go; add any juices remaining in can. If using diced tomatoes, add directly to pot along with juices. Stir to combine, then fill can almost to the top with water and pour into pot, swirling to get all the extra tomato juices out of the can. Bring sauce to a boil over medium heat.
- Set aside ½ cup lentils for serving. Add remaining lentils to sauce. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens slightly and flavors come together, 25-30 minutes. Remove from heat and purée sauce with an immersion blender until almost smooth in some places but chunky in others. (Alternatively, purée half of sauce in a blender until almost smooth, then stir back into sauce in pot.) Season with salt and pepper. Keep warm until ready to serve.
- Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until not quite al dente, about 1 minute less than package directions.
- Using a spider or tongs, transfer pasta to sauce and add butter and ½ cup pasta cooking liquid. Cook, stirring constantly and adding more pasta cooking liquid if needed, until sauce thickens enough to coat pasta and pasta looks glossy, about 1 minute.
- Divide pasta among shallow bowls and top with reserved lentils and Parmesan (if using).
- Do ahead: Sauce can be made 5 days ahead. Let cool, then transfer to an airtight container. Cover and chill, or freeze up to 3 months. Reheat, adding a little water to thin if needed, before serving.
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RimshAtanveer Tanveer
rimshatanveer.t@aol.comThis recipe sounds disgusting. I would never eat it.
Mazhar Ahmad
ahmad_mazhar@hotmail.frI'm not sure about this recipe. I've never cooked with lentils before.
Kanwulf Odeh
odehkanwulf2@yahoo.comThis recipe seems a bit complicated, but I'm willing to give it a try.
S M SALMAN RAHMAN
srahman62@yahoo.comI'm excited to try this recipe. It looks delicious!
Matthais Miller
miller.matthais@hotmail.co.ukThis is a great recipe for a hearty and flavorful pasta sauce.
Usama Kawiso
usama@gmail.comThis lentil bolognese is so delicious and satisfying. I will definitely be making it again.
Nathaniel Parks
p61@gmail.comI love that this recipe uses lentils instead of meat. It's a great way to get your protein and fiber.
Nazar Khan
nazar-khan@yahoo.comThis is a great recipe for a quick and easy weeknight meal. It's also very affordable, which is a plus.
MD:Parvez Hossein
hm8@aol.comI'm not a huge fan of lentils, but I really enjoyed this recipe. The sauce was flavorful and the lentils were cooked perfectly.
Muzzammil khan
k-m82@gmail.comThis lentil bolognese is a great way to get your kids to eat their vegetables. My kids love it and I feel good about feeding them something healthy and delicious.
Jesus Coronado
j-coronado@yahoo.comI love this recipe! It's so easy to make and the results are always delicious. I've made it several times now and it's always a hit with my family and friends.
Hellen Troy
t.hellen67@yahoo.comThis is a great recipe for a hearty and flavorful pasta sauce. The lentils add a nice protein boost and the vegetables make it a well-rounded meal. I would definitely recommend this recipe.
Peach Louf
l-peach@yahoo.comI was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this lentil bolognese. It was easy to make and packed with flavor. The lentils gave the dish a nice texture and the sauce was incredibly flavorful.
Md Khoka
m-khoka99@gmail.comThis lentil bolognese was a hit with my family! The flavors were rich and complex, and the lentils added a nice heartiness to the dish. I will definitely be making this again.