Mushroom and Lentil Ragu Pasta
Author:This Mushroom and Lentil Ragu Recipe is a delicious and vegan alternative to the classic Italian Bolognese Pasta. It's very easy to make with wholesome ingredients, full of umami flavor, nourishing, satisfying and makes the perfect weeknight dinner! You can serve the ragu with your favorite (gluten-free) pasta or over mashed potatoes, creamy polenta, gnocchi, rice or just with naan on the side.
Ingredients
- 1-2 tbsp olive oil for frying
- 1 onion finely chopped
- 1 large carrot finely chopped
- 1 stick celery finely chopped
- 8,8 oz mushrooms finely chopped
- 2 tbsp soy sauce or tamari sauce or balsamic vinegar
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- ½ cup dry green lentils or brown lentils or canned lentils (*see notes)
- ½ cup red wine or sub more veggie broth/water or coconut milk for richness
- 1 14 oz can diced tomatoes or passata or whole crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup vegetable broth or more as needed
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 tsp thyme leaves fresh or dried
- 1 tsp smoked paprika powder
- 1 tsp miso paste optional
- ¼ tsp salt adjust to taste
- ¼ cup walnuts crushed (optional)
To Serve (optional)
- 12,3 oz pasta of your choice e.g. gluten-free pappardelle noodles
- garlic mushrooms
- vegan parmesan cheese
- fresh herbs e.g. basil or thyme
Instructions
*Note: Be sure to check out the recipe video + step-by-step photos above!
- Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for about 3-5 minutes, until the onion starts to turn translucent. Add the mushrooms and continue cooking for about 5 minutes, until the mushrooms have released most of their water. Add the soy sauce, garlic, and lentils and cook for another minute, stirring frequently until fragrant.
- Pour in the wine, and cook for a minute until most of it has evaporated. Then add in the tomatoes, vegetable broth, tomato paste, bay leaf, thyme, paprika, miso (if using), and salt. Stir to combine and bring it to a boil. Reduce it to a simmer, cover the pan and cook for 30 to 35 minutes until the lentils are done. (If the sauce becomes too thick, add more veggie broth or water). Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Remove the bay leave in the end and stir in the crushed walnuts if using.
- Start to cook the pasta in a large pot of salted water according to package instructions around 15 minutes before the sauce is done. Once the pasta is al dente, drain the cooking water and toss in a little bit of olive oil (optional to prevent from sticking). Also, sauté the extra garlic mushrooms in a skillet for the topping as instructed in this recipe.
- Serve the pasta with the mushroom and lentil ragu and garnish with extra garlic mushrooms, vegan parmesan cheese, and fresh herbs or any topping you like. Enjoy!
Notes
- To speed up this recipe, you can use 1 cup canned lentils (drained & rinsed). If you do so, please omit the 1 cup of water in the recipe and adjust the cooking time.
- You can use your favorite (gluten-free) pasta variety or homemade pasta or serve the sauce over mashed potatoes, creamy polenta, gnocchi, rice or just with naan bread on the side.
- See blog post for recipe substitutions and more helpful tips and information, including making ahead and freezing.
Nutritions
Serving: 1Serving | Calories: 550kcal | Carbohydrates: 83g | Protein: 22.3g | Fat: 9.5g
Nutrition is calculated automatically and should be used as estimate.
Did you make this recipe?Mention @biancazapatka or tag #biancazapatka!