The Best Lentil Bolognese with Roast Veg Mash and Cashew Parmesan | Rebel Recipes (2024)

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This lentil bolognese is AMAZING. Super tasty and packed with so much flavour. Served with vegetable mash and cashew parmesan for extra tastiness!

The Best Lentil Bolognese with Roast Veg Mash and Cashew Parmesan | Rebel Recipes (2)

Oh, this is a good one! A rich and earthy lentil bolognese with two types of lentils (red and Puy) for added texture, lots of mushrooms and tons of Unami flavour from the balsamic, Worcester and tamari.

It packs a flavour punch and is super nourishing. It’s brilliant with pasta but here I’ve served it with a lovely roast veg mash.

I roasted cauliflower, carrots and parsnips and then created a chunky mash blended with wholegrain mustard and nutritional yeast and coconut yogurt. So good!

Top with some cashew ‘Parmesan’ and it’s a special combination.

I hope you love this warming and comforting meal. Much love, Niki xxx.

The Best Lentil Bolognese with Roast Veg Mash and Cashew Parmesan | Rebel Recipes (3)

Prep time: 30 minutes mins

Cook time: 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

4 servings

5 from 1 vote

Ingredients

For the roast veg mash

  • 1/2 large cauliflower chopped into florets
  • 2 medium parsnips peeled and chopped into small chunks
  • 3 carrots peeled and chopped into small chunks
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Pinch sea salt
  • Black pepper
  • 2 tbsp coconut yogurt or plant-based yogurt
  • 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 1 tbsp whole grain mustard
  • Zest 1/2 lemon
  • Black pepper
  • 3 tbsp almond milk

For the bolognese

  • 1 large onion chopped roughly
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic sliced
  • 1/2 tsp oregano
  • 1/2 caraway
  • 1/2 tsp fennel seeds
  • 2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 4 organic tomatoes coarsely chopped
  • 250 g mushrooms chopped
  • 1/2 courgette finely diced
  • 150 g dark green/puy lentils rinsed
  • 150 g red lentils rinsed
  • 1.5 L water
  • 1 tbsp bouillon stock
  • 2 tbsp tomato purée
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 1-2 tbsp balsamic glaze
  • 1 tbsp vegan Worcester sauce
  • 1 tsp tamari
  • Zest 1/2 unwaxed lemon
  • Twist black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp mineral salt–optional

For the toppings

  • Cashew parmesan
  • Fresh basil

Instructions

To make the veg mash

  • Heat your oven to 180c

  • Add the veg to one large or two baking trays. Toss with olive oil and season well. Bake the veg 35-40 minutes until cooked.

  • Allow to cool a little, then add to a large bowl. Mash the veg roughly with a fork or masher, then add along with the other ingredients to a food processor. Blitz to a chunky mash.

  • Set aside.

To make the lentils

  • Add the oil to a large pan and heat to a low to medium heat. Add the onion and for approx 8-10 minutes until soft and browning. Add in the garlic and spices and stir for another few minutes, then add in the tomatoes, lentils, mushrooms, courgette, water, tomato puree and bouillon.

  • Bring to the boil and then turn down the heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes. Add a little more water if needed.

  • Stir in all the remaining ingredients. Season.

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Discuss this Recipe with Niki

The Best Lentil Bolognese with Roast Veg Mash and Cashew Parmesan | Rebel Recipes (10)

8 Responses

  1. How do u cook such AMAZING recipes!!!?? Thank you!! ❤️

    Reply

    1. Thank you xxx

      Reply

  2. This looks delicious but not sure when to add the oregano, caraway, fennel seeds and paprika. Does anyone know?

    Reply

    1. Hi Claire
      With the garlic, I’ve added in.
      Love
      Niki xxx

      Reply

  3. Looks delicious and I have promised my son I will make it for him, however the topping ingredients do not seem to be showing on my phone……

    Reply

    1. Hi Nats!
      Should be fixed now.
      Love
      Niki xxx

      Reply

  4. The Best Lentil Bolognese with Roast Veg Mash and Cashew Parmesan | Rebel Recipes (11)
    Big thumbs up from our family! Delicious

    Reply

    1. Fantastic! So happy
      Love
      Niki xxx

      Reply

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FAQs

What can I put in Bolognese to give it more flavour? ›

Just add seasoning and the flavour will be completely different from what you're used to. You can add various herbs, too. Try a teaspoon of dried Italian mixed herbs (added at the start) or a tablespoon of fresh, chopped oregano (added towards the end) in the meat sauce.

How do you bulk out Bolognese with lentils? ›

Lentils are a great secret ingredient to add to Bolognese. They are unnoticeable in the sauce, as they cook down to almost nothing. If you find the lentils absorb some of the flavour of the sauce, add a dash of your favourite condiment to make up for it.

How do you deepen the flavor of bolognese? ›

The best tip for intensifying the flavour of your sauce is just to cook it slowly on a low heat for a long time. This reduces the sauce and intensifies the flavours – four hours is not uncommon for my bolognese.

How to make bolognese more interesting? ›

Here's 11 Tips To Spruce Up Your Spag Bol
  1. Add Sundried Tomatoes. Source: iStock. ...
  2. Sneak More Veggies In. Most recipes will see you smuggling in some carrot and zucchini but you can go so much further than that. ...
  3. Go Vegetarian. ...
  4. Include Wine. ...
  5. Add Mushrooms. ...
  6. Pour In Some Milk. ...
  7. Mix Up Your Meats. ...
  8. Try Zoodles.
Jul 11, 2023

Should I add milk or butter to bolognese? ›

Did you know that classic bolognese should always be made with milk.

What thickens a bolognese? ›

As the sauce simmers, the water in it will evaporate and the sauce will get thicker. You can also add a little bit of cornstarch to the sauce to thicken it without changing the flavor. If you don't mind altering the sauce's flavor, try adding grated cheese, tomato paste, or even mashed potatoes to thicken it.

Does cooking bolognese longer make it better? ›

The secret to the rich and complex flavors of Bolognese sauce lies in the slow cooking process. Traditionally, the sauce would simmer gently for hours, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify.

How do you save a bland bolognese? ›

How to boost flavour in my bolognese?
  1. good quality mince (lamb or beef)
  2. onions/leeks & garlic.
  3. mushrooms.
  4. red peppers.
  5. carrots.
  6. a small amount of pasta.
  7. a small amount of stock (with a stock cube or homemade if I happen to have it)
  8. black pepper (not salt)
Sep 8, 2015

What herbs are good in bolognese? ›

What Goes into Bolognese Spices?
  • Oregano. Oregano just tastes like Italy. ...
  • Basil. Sweet Italian basil gives Italian food its personality despite being a North African and Southeast Asian herb. ...
  • Celery Salt. ...
  • Cracked Black Pepper. ...
  • Tomato Flakes. ...
  • Minced Onion. ...
  • Garlic Granules. ...
  • Thyme.

Does bolognese taste better the longer you cook it? ›

Like most recipes the longer you leave it to slowly cook the better the flavour will be but this can also be knocked up with in an hour.

Why add vinegar to bolognese? ›

And as an added bonus, both the plums and the vinegar have some great benefits for digestion, energy, and as an antibacterial boost. Umeboshi vinegar is a deep reddish purple. Perfect for adding both the depth of flavour and colour into our bolognese sauce!

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