Sicilian Lentil Pasta Sauce

"This is a great chunky vegetarian pasta sauce which almost tastes meaty. It is easy to sneak a few more vegetables in there if desired. The sugar is not strictly necessary and you may be able to omit the second lot of water. My toddler LOVED this recipe and couldn't get enough."
 
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Ready In:
1hr 40mins
Ingredients:
11
Serves:
8
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ingredients

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directions

  • In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat.
  • Add onions, mushrooms, zucchini and garlic.
  • Cook while stirring over medium heat for about 5 minutes.
  • Add lentils[I like the orange ones] and 3 cups water to the vegetables.
  • Turn up the heat and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.
  • Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook 45 to 60 minutes.
  • Stir in tomato sauce, tomato paste, sugar, and 1/2 cup water.
  • Bring to a boil.
  • Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes.
  • If necessary, add more water to keep the sauce from sticking.
  • Be careful not to dilute; the sauce should be quite thick.

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Reviews

  1. This sauce is great, though I had to add a few extra spices for me (I like LOTS of flavor) It's nice and thick and chunky, and feels good to know I'm getting a bit more protein, from the lentils. I added some grated carrot and a little crushed red pepper and Italian seasoning. Great on pasta with your Nutritional Yeast 'Parmesan'!
     
  2. Excellent! I made a half recipe and served over whole wheat spaghetti -- enjoyed it very much. Made a few changes... I sauteed the veggies in vegetable stock instead of oil. I took a few hints from yogi and added grated carrot, chopped green pepper, oregano, basil, parsley, crushed red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. I used red lentils and they were well-cooked and mushy way before 45 minutes. A delicious, hearty, healthy pasta sauce!
     
  3. I found this was good but needed a bit more, so I added celery,carrot and also a bit of mixed dried italian herbs and sweet paprika powder. Also I used green french lentils which took a lot longer to cook but they are firmer and hold theitr shape well. I have also tried this sauce with sausage thrown in and it was really delicious.
     
  4. I followed the recipe exactly and it turned out really bland. I froze the leftovers and added basil, oregano, garlic powder, and more salt and pepper when I wanted to use it again and it tasted much better.
     
  5. We love this! I subbed eggplant for the mushrooms and added some oregano and basil. Used penne and lots of parmesan and this will go into regular rotation. Thank you !
     
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Tweaks

  1. We love this! I subbed eggplant for the mushrooms and added some oregano and basil. Used penne and lots of parmesan and this will go into regular rotation. Thank you !
     
  2. Excellent! I made a half recipe and served over whole wheat spaghetti -- enjoyed it very much. Made a few changes... I sauteed the veggies in vegetable stock instead of oil. I took a few hints from yogi and added grated carrot, chopped green pepper, oregano, basil, parsley, crushed red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. I used red lentils and they were well-cooked and mushy way before 45 minutes. A delicious, hearty, healthy pasta sauce!
     

RECIPE SUBMITTED BY

I'm an ex-pat NZer living in the tropical Top End of Australia. Which makes it a perfect place to make homemade bread and summer recipes all year around. I experiment on my 3 kids who have grown up trying new Zaar recipes every other day and they are thriving. I'm the lacto-ovo vegetarian in the family and somehow I got roped in to become a Forum Host here at Zaar. So check out the Vegetarian and Vegan Forum http://www.recipezaar.com/bb/viewforum.zsp?f=43 and feel free to join in whether you are a fully fledged vegan or someone who needs to cater for a vegetarian and has no idea where to start. Every year I try to do something a bit different to push the envelope a little bit. In 2005 I learned how to sail a dinghy; 2006's grand passion is mosaics. Check out my blog! Between raising three children, working almost fulltime and trying to pursue my hobbies...let's say that my time management skills have greatly improved over the years! I am also very interested in living a sustainable lifestyle. Essentially I'm finding that I'm getting back to the country lifestyle I enjoyed in my childhood even though these days I live in themiddle of suburbia. To this end I have started gardening although I am a total gardening virgin when it comes to gardening in a tropical climate. I also have a cookbook with a number of recipes you can make from scratch. Living clean and green is good for you AND cheaper!
 
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