Name: Vegan Lentil Bolognese Pasta
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1/2 cup Dry brown lentils (can sub black or French lentils); 1 1/2 cups Water; 1/2 cup Textured vegetable protein (optional); 12 oz. Frozen vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, chopped carrot, or chopped sweet potato; 24 oz. Marinara sauce, or more if desired (see above for homemade option); 16 oz. Pasta of choice

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If you need a hearty, comforting meal that won’t break the bank, this quick and easy Vegan Lentil Bolognese is a must try! Made with simple pantry staples, this plant-based version of the Italian classic delivers all the rich, savory flavor without the oil or meat. This budget-friendly dinner is a great way to meal-prep quick lunches or feed the family for only $1.50 per serving.

Packed with protein-rich lentils and hearty marinara sauce, this Bolognese pairs perfectly with your favorite pasta. It’s a wholesome meal that’s high in fiber, low in fat, and loaded with flavor.

The ingredients are minimal, but you can add in diced veggies and spinach to upgrade the nutrition factor of this recipe. However, without any upgrades, this plant based recipe is still high in protein, iron, and fiber.

Why You'll Love This Vegan Pasta Dish

Endless Customization!: Take advantage of cheap and nutritious frozen veggies to add even more value and bulk to this meal. I like to mix it up and use different veggies like frozen cauliflower florets, chopped carrots, sweet potato, or spinach. If making a full batch of this recipe, use one or two 12 ounce bags of frozen veggies.
Budget-Friendly & Nutritious: At about $1.50 per serving, this meal proves that healthy eating doesn’t have to be expensive. One batch makes about 4 large and filling servings, that can stretch to more for smaller eaters. A full batch of this recipe will cost between $4.50 – $6.00, depending on the type of veggies added.
High in Plant Protein: Lentils, veggies, and pasta add about 20-25 grams of protein per serving, for a healthy dose of protein to keep you going until the next meal. Make it even higher in protein by using Textured Vegetable Protein instead of frozen veggies.
Easily Gluten-Free and Oil-Free: For a gluten-free meal, choose gluten-free pasta or spiralized veggies. To make it oil-free, choose an oil-free marinara or make your own by mixing two cans of tomato sauce with Italian herbs, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

Equipment Needed

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Ingredients for Lentil Bolognese

Lentils. For this recipe, I like to use brown lentils better than red lentils. Black lentils (Urad dal) work well too, if you can find them, they are typically found at Indian markets. or health food stores.
Frozen veggies. Choose your favorite or two. I like cauliflower, broccoli, chopped carrots, sweet potato, or spinach.
Optional – TVP. Textured vegetable protein is a dehydrated soy crumble with a texture similar to ground meat and adds a lot of protein.
Marinara Sauce. Choose any version you prefer or make your own by mixing together two cans of tomato sauce with Italian herb seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to taste (optional: add olive oil and nutritional yeast for more flavor).
Pasta. Choose your favorite pasta shape. Bolognese traditionally uses a wide flat egg noodle, but I opted for cheap and simple egg-free fettuccini.

How to Make Vegan Lentil Bolognese

Cook the lentils. In a medium saucepan, bring the 1/2 cup dry lentils and 1 1/2 cups water to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes until tender.
Prepare veggies. If using frozen veggies, reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop. Chop into smaller pieces, if preferred.
Prepare TVP (if using). Add 1/2 cup of TVP to a bowl and cover with water. Soak for 5-10 minutes, until soft.
Cook the pasta. Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the pasta directions.
Bring it all together. When the pasta is cooked, strain and return to the pot. Add the cooked lentils, veggies, TVP (if using), and the whole jar of marinara sauce. If you like it extra saucy, add another jar or a can of crushed tomatoes. Mix well and divide into serving bowls to serve.

Want more cheap and easy vegan recipes? Try these next:

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This delicious and satisfying plant based Bolognese is proof that healthy dinners can be simple, nourishing, and affordable. Whether you’re meal-prepping for yourself or feeding a family, this vegan recipe is is comforting dish that no one will complain about.

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