Tasty Lentil Pasta Sauce

Convenient, healthy and delicious

This tasty lentil pasta sauce is quick to prepare and easy to cook. It’s made with simple, inexpensive ingredients, some of which you may already have in your store cupboard. Otherwise, they are all available from your local low-cost supermarket.

It takes five minutes to prepare and only fifteen minutes on the hob. You can even put all the ingredients in a slow cooker.

Ingredients

One tablespoon of olive oil

One leek, chopped (can be substituted with an onion, I prefer leek for a slightly sweeter taste)

Three cloves of garlic, crushed or finely chopped

One tin of chopped tomatoes or passata (400g)

One tin of green lentils (400g approx.)

Two tablespoons of tomato puree

One tablespoon of soy sauce or coconut aminos (see notes at the bottom of the page)

One teaspoon of smoked paprika

Two teaspoons of Italian mixed herbs (can be substituted with one oregano and one basil)

For extra nutrients you can add some chopped courgette or add some black olives

How to cook lentil pasta sauce

(on the hob, cook time 15-20 mins)

Step 1:

Place the leek and olive oil in a saucepan on medium-high heat, and stir for two minutes, ensuring the leek doesn’t burn or stick to the pan.

Step 2:

Add garlic and stir for one minute.

Step 3:

Add all the other ingredients and give it a good stir. When the liquid starts to bubble, reduce the heat to a simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally so the sauce doesn’t burn or stick to the pan.

Step 4:

Serve with your favourite pasta or spaghetti (I prefer spaghetti) topped with your favourite grated vegan cheese. There you have it – tasty lentil pasta sauce in less than thirty minutes.

How to cook lentil pasta sauce in a slow cooker

Step 1:

Put all the ingredients in the slow cooker, stir and switch on. Tinned lentils are usually precooked, this cuts down the time for this recipe significantly in a slow cook. set the dial on high for a quick cook 3-4 hours, or low for 4+ hours. Put it on before you go to work and you’ll return to a yummy pasta sauce that smells as good as it tastes!

For more recipes from the Wannabe Eco Vegan Page, click here.

Coconut Aminos

I’d never heard of coconut aminos before until I had some gastrointestinal issues. I wasn’t sure if I had a soy allergy, so I tried this recommended alternative. It turns out I’m actually gluten intolerant. I’ve really grown to like the taste of coconut aminos, it has a slightly sweeter taste. Don’t be fooled into thinking it tastes of coconut, it’s savoury. Although it’s still high in salt, it’s actually lower in salt compared to soy sauce. It’s made from fermented coconut palm and sea salt. With fermented foods reported as being good for gastrointestinal health, I feel it may be a better choice, but that’s just my opinion. It’s a little bit more expensive than soy sauce but if you want to try it you can buy it here. NB. I do not receive any commission/ money for my recommendations.