Bolognese is Italian comfort food. This recipe promises a hearty, flavorful sauce that also helps you meet your fiber and protein goals. The kitchen smelling amazing as the sauce simmers is an added bonus. This dish is perfect for a crowd, for cooler Fall evenings and rainy days. It freezes exceptionally well so enjoy half a batch for dinner and freeze the rest for an easy future dinner.
Ingredients for Lentil Bolognese
Mirepoix: The base of finely chopped onion, celery and carrot. The Trader Joe's packaged mirepoix, makes for a quick dinner prep. Easily chop up your own mirepoix, ideally a bit finer than the Trader Joe's version. But no complaints here for pre-chopped veggies on a busy night.
Olive oil and garlic: It's an Italian dish....these are a given
Extra Lean Ground Beef: I strive to eat primarily lean protein sources. Trader Joe's offers a 96% lean ground beef that is still flavorful but helps me stay on track in this area. We don't eat a lot of beef but when we do, it's usually this 96% lean beef from TJ's.
Canned Lentils: Easy peasy and I always have a can on hand for adding to meat to increase fiber and volume. They're pre-cooked and have a very mild flavor.
San Marzano Tomatoes: Trader Joe's sells these whole so blending is required. You could also grab a 28 ounce can of crushed tomatoes if preferred. The San Marzano variety are a tad bit sweeter and I can't recommend enough.
Parsley and basil: Use fresh and finely chop! I like Italian, flat leaf parsley and Genovese basil. I grow both in the garden, but you can find both in your Trader Joe's produce section.
Kosher salt and pepper: I swear by kosher salt but since everyone is using a different type of salt (= different levels of saltiness), I say salt to taste. And don't forget to salt your pasta water!
Pasta: Pappardelle is the traditional pasta choice for Bolognese, but sub out for whatever you have on hand or prefer. Beef up the fiber using Goodles or Barilla Protein Penne + options. Both are delicious and taste like traditional pasta.
PrintLentil Bolognese - All Trader Joe's Ingredients
A higher fiber option for a hearty, traditional bolognese without sacrificing on flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 40 min
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 container Trader Joe’s Mirepoix
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- ½ pound 96% lean ground beef
- 1 15 ounce can Trader Joe’s lentils
- 1 28 ounce can San Marzano tomatoes, blended
- ¼ cup parsley, chopped
- 2 Tablespoons basil, chopped
- Kosher salt and pepper
- Parmesan Reggiano, grated
- Trader Joe’s Papparadelle Nests or higher fiber pasta like Barilla Protein Penne + or Goodles
Instructions
1. Heat large sauce pan and drizzle with olive oil
2. Add mirepoix and garlic to saucepan and sauté over medium heat for 5 min
3. Add beef and cook until no longer pink
4. Add blended tomatoes, lentils, parsley and basil, salt and pepper
5. Simmer uncovered for 30 minutes
6. Cook pasta according to package directions
7. Serve bolognese over pasta with generous topping of Parmesan Reggiano
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