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Pasta with Lentil Bolognese

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Pasta with Lentil BologneseDana Gallagher

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes 6 servings

Ingredients

2

tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1

/2 small onion, chopped

1

small carrot, chopped

1

stalk celery, chopped

4

garlic cloves, minced

1

1/2 teaspoons tomato paste

2

(16-ounce) cans whole peeled plum tomatoes, drained and roughly chopped (juice reserved)

1

1/4 cups dried French green lentils

Coarse sea or kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

1

pound shaped pasta, such as cavatappi, rigatoni, or ziti

Pecorino cheese, grated or shaved

Fresh basil, chopped (optional)

Need to make a substitution?

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    1. In a large pot over medium heat, warm the olive oil. Add the onion, carrot, celery, and garlic and cook slowly until the vegetables soften and turn golden, about 20 minutes.

    Step 2

    2. Increase heat to medium-high and add the tomato paste. Cook until the mixture dries out a bit, about 3 minutes. Pour in the reserved juice from the tomatoes and cook, scraping the browned bits from the bottom of the pan, until the liquid has reduced by half, 1 to 2 minutes.

    Step 3

    3. Stir in the lentils, tomatoes, and 1 cup water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat. Season with the salt and pepper and simmer until the lentils are tender, 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the lentils. (If the sauce begins to dry out, add additional water as needed.) Reduce heat to low and keep warm.

    Step 4

    4. Cook the pasta according to the package directions; drain. Serve with the lentil sauce, sprinkle with the pecorino, and garnish with the basil, if desired.