Name: Spicy Red Pasta with Lentils
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 1 h
Yield: 7
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cup dry red lentils (rinsed in cool water for 1 minute); 6 cups water; pinch salt; 3 tbsp olive oil; 8 cloves garlic (minced); 3/4 cups carrots (very finely diced); 3/4 cups diced tomatoes (canned); 45 oz tomato sauce (can); 6 tbsp tomato paste; 1 pinch salt (more to taste); 1 1/2 tsp red chili flakes (divided); 3 tbsp dried or fresh oregano; 3 tbsp dried or fresh basil; 3 tbsp sweetener of choice ((such as cane sugar or coconut sugar)); 24 oz pasta (of your choice)

Spicy Red Pasta with Lentils

Course

Dinner, Lunch

Prep Time

20 minutes

Cook Time

1 hour

Servings

Ingredients

Lentils

1 1/2 cup dry red lentils rinsed in cool water for 1 minute
6 cups water
pinch salt

Pasta Sauce

3 tbsp olive oil
8 cloves garlic minced
3/4 cups carrots very finely diced
3/4 cups diced tomatoes canned
45 oz tomato sauce can
6 tbsp tomato paste
1 pinch salt more to taste
1 1/2 tsp red chili flakes divided
3 tbsp dried or fresh oregano
3 tbsp dried or fresh basil
3 tbsp sweetener of choice (such as cane sugar or coconut sugar)

For Serving

24 oz pasta of your choice

Course

Dinner, Lunch

Prep Time

20 minutes

Cook Time

1 hour

Servings

Ingredients

Lentils

1 1/2 cup dry red lentils rinsed in cool water for 1 minute
6 cups water
pinch salt

Pasta Sauce

3 tbsp olive oil
8 cloves garlic minced
3/4 cups carrots very finely diced
3/4 cups diced tomatoes canned
45 oz tomato sauce can
6 tbsp tomato paste
1 pinch salt more to taste
1 1/2 tsp red chili flakes divided
3 tbsp dried or fresh oregano
3 tbsp dried or fresh basil
3 tbsp sweetener of choice (such as cane sugar or coconut sugar)

For Serving

24 oz pasta of your choice

Instructions

Add lentils and water to a small saucepan and bring to a low boil over medium heat, then reduce heat slightly to achieve a mild simmer (not boil).
Cook lentils 15-20 minutes. Taste for doneness.
When lentils are finished cooking, drain off any excess cooking liquid, season with pinch of salt, and set aside.
While lentils are cooking, heat a large rimmed metal or cast iron skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add olive oil, garlic, carrots and diced tomato. Sauté for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently.
To prevent splattering, remove skillet from heat and add tomato sauce, tomato paste, pinch of salt, chili flakes, oregano, basil, sweetener, and stir to combine.
Place back over heat and bring to a low simmer over medium-low heat. Once simmering, reduce heat to low and continue cooking for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Cook pasta according to package instruction as this time. Then drain and set aside.
Sample pasta sauce and adjust seasonings as needed. Add more sweetener to balance and enhance the flavors or chili flakes for heat, salt for saltiness, or more herbs for depth of flavor. If too thick, thin with a little water.
Add the cooked drained lentils to the sauce and stir to combine. Then add pasta to the sauce and toss to coat.
Serve with any additional toppings such as red pepper flakes and fresh basil.

Nutrition Facts

Spicy Red Pasta with Lentils

Amount Per Serving

Calories 425 Calories from Fat 108

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 12g 18%

Saturated Fat 2g 10%

Polyunsaturated Fat 3g

Monounsaturated Fat 6g

Sodium 418mg 17%

Potassium 1363mg 39%

Total Carbohydrates 68g 23%

Dietary Fiber 15g 60%

Sugars 13g

Protein 15g 30%

Vitamin A 122%

Vitamin C 62%

Calcium 26%

Iron 54%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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