Vegan Lentil Bolognese Zucchini (Printable Version)

Protein-packed lentils in a tomato sauce over fresh spiralized zucchini and carrots for a vibrant dish.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 medium zucchinis, spiralized
02 - 2 large carrots, spiralized
03 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
05 - 2 medium carrots, finely diced
06 - 3 cloves garlic, minced

→ Lentils

07 - 1 cup dry brown or green lentils, rinsed

→ Liquids

08 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
09 - 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
10 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
11 - 2 cups vegetable broth

→ Seasonings

12 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
13 - 1 teaspoon dried basil
14 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
15 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
16 - 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
17 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Garnish

18 - Fresh basil or parsley, chopped, optional
19 - Nutritional yeast for sprinkling, optional

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion, celery, and diced carrots. Sauté for 5 to 6 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add lentils, tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, vegetable broth, oregano, basil, thyme, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes if using. Stir to combine thoroughly.
04 - Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lentils are tender and sauce is thickened. Add additional broth or water as needed.
05 - Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
06 - While the sauce simmers, spiralize the zucchinis and carrots. Set aside.
07 - Just before serving, lightly sauté spiralized zucchini and carrots in a large pan over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes until just tender but still crisp, or serve raw for extra crunch.
08 - Divide spiralized vegetables among plates. Top with lentil Bolognese. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley and nutritional yeast if desired.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Nutrient-dense meal that delivers protein, fiber, and vitamins in every bite
  • Perfect balance of hearty lentils and light, fresh vegetable noodles
  • Satisfying plant-based alternative that maintains the soul of traditional Bolognese
  • Gluten-free and low-carb without compromising on flavor or texture
  • Simple to prepare with accessible ingredients and straightforward techniques
02 -
  • For a richer flavor, add a splash of red wine when sautéing the vegetables
  • Make the sauce a day ahead—like many tomato-based dishes, the flavors deepen overnight
  • To save time, use pre-spiralized vegetables available in many grocery stores
  • Nutritional yeast adds a subtle cheesy flavor that complements the dish perfectly
  • For meal prep, store the sauce and raw spiralized vegetables separately for up to three days
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