Lentil bolognese

Description: Struggle to get your five-a-day? This superhealthy lentil ragu will get you four steps closer and can be frozen for extra convenience

Dietary Requirements: Vegetarian,

Cuisine: Mediterranean

Total Cooking Time: 15 mins

Credits:

Author: Sarah Cook

Website Used: BBCGoodFood / Tasty

Rating:

Average Rating: 4.3

Number of Ratings: 265

Nutrition Data Per Serving:

low in: salt high in: protein

Ingredients:

3 tbsp olive oil

2 onions, finely chopped

3 carrots, finely chopped

3 celery sticks, finely chopped

3 garlic cloves, crushed

500g bag dried red lentils

2 x 400g cans chopped tomatoes

2 tbsp tomato purée

2 tsp each dried oregano and thyme

3 bay leaves

1l vegetable stock

500g spaghetti

parmesan or vegetarian cheese, grated, to serve

Equipment:

sauce pan, bowl,

Directions:

Heat the oil in a large saucepan and add the onions, carrots, celery and garlic. Cook gently for 15-20 mins until everything is softened. Stir in the lentils, chopped tomatoes, tomato purée, herbs and stock. Bring to a simmer, then cook for 40-50 mins until the lentils are tender and saucy – splash in water if you need. Season.

If eating straight away, keep on a low heat while you cook the spaghetti, following pack instructions. Drain well, divide between pasta bowls or plates, spoon sauce over the top and grate over some cheese. Alternatively, cool the sauce and chill for up to 3 days. Or freeze for up to 3 months. Simply defrost portions overnight at room temperature, then reheat gently to serve.

Estimated Recipe Prices:

Estimated Cost Per Serving: £1.76

Total Estimated Cost: £10.56

Ingredient Cost Breakdown:

3 tablespoons olive oil:

£0.39

2 onions:

£0.37

3 carrots:

£0.25

3 celery sticks:

£0.04

3 garlic cloves:

£0.15

500 grams red dried lentils:

£1.65

800 grams canned tomatoes:

£1.32

2 tablespoons tomato pure:

£0.07

2 teaspoons dried oregano and thyme:

£0.07

3 bay leaves:

£0.05

1 liter vegetable stock:

£2.46

500 grams spaghetti:

£0.82

some parmesan:

£2.92

Note: The following data is provided by Spoonacular from a variety of supermarkets and should only be used as estimates.