Hearty Lentil & Mushroom Ragu + Pasta

HEARTY LENTIL & MUSHROOM RAGU + PASTA

Today, I have something wonderful and savory to share with you! It's a perfect hearty meal, comforting and warm while filling all your senses. The aroma alone smells delicious. Once you take your first bite, you'll be hooked. I had seconds and thirds. Seriously! It's packed with protein and fiber, as well as other important vitamins to keep you plant strong and loving it. This is another super easy dish to put together, ready in under an hour. It's versatile too, always a plus. If you don't like mushrooms...sub in red bell pepper, zucchini or celery. Use pasta of choice. I chose pappardelle here but have used all kinds of other pastas with this. The notes will fill you in on more. 

This recipe came about when I was away. I didn't go grocery shopping for about two weeks and lived off what was in my pantry. I made spaghetti using canned beans with jarred sauce, and it was so delicious! That was super easy, but decided for this recipe that I'd use lentils and some fresh produce. Once I finally got back to normal, went grocery shopping and did a little research, I pulled this together. It's a keeper and a welcome addition to the recipe collection!

 

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 - 2 cups lentils (green/brown or puy) 
• 8 oz. mushrooms, sliced or diced
• 2 large carrots, diced
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced or 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 can (28oz.) diced tomatoes 
• 1 tablespoon olive oil or 1/4 cup water for water saute
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano or herbes de provence
• pinch of red pepper flakes
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1/2 cup full-bodied red wine
• 1 tablespoon corn or tapioca starch, or arrowroot powder
• mineral salt & cracked pepper to taste
• 16 oz. pasta of choice
• chopped parsley, to serve

In a large dutch oven/pot, heat oil or water over medium heat, add onions and saute for 5 minutes, add garlic, carrots, mushrooms, red pepper flakes and oregano, saute for 4 minutes, or until mushrooms begin to soften.

Add tomatoes, lentils, vegetable broth and wine, bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes, until lentils are tender.

Combine starch with 3 tablespoons water, mix well, add to the ragu, stir and cook another 10-15 minutes. Add more water, broth or wine as needed. (Omit the addition of starch if using jarred pasta sauce, keep cooking lentils as needed until tender.)
Cook pasta according to package.
Serve ragu over pasta. Top with chopped parsley and a light dusting of Almond Parmesan.

Serves 6

Notes: 

If you don't have canned tomatoes on hand, sub in a jar (25 oz) of organic pasta sauce of choice. I used canned tomatoes with basil and olive oil..added nice flavoring. 

Use whatever pasta you like. I've served this with all kinds of pasta types. 

If not using wine, replace with water or veggie broth. If using wine, feel free to add more...it gives a wonderful flavor!

If you don't like mushrooms...sub in a small diced red bell pepper, small diced zucchini or 1/2 cup diced celery.

Feel free to omit the corn/tapioca starch. It's just to thicken it up a bit but will be great without it. If using a jar of pasta sauce, you can most definitely omit this part.

I used 2 cups of puy lentils here.

Alida Altemburg