Spicy Red Pasta with Lentils
Servings Prep Time
7 20minutes
Cook Time
1hour
Servings Prep Time
7 20minutes
Cook Time
1hour
Ingredients
Lentils
Pasta Sauce
For Serving
  • 24oz pastaof your choice
Instructions
  1. 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).
  2. Cook lentils 15-20 minutes. Taste for doneness.
  3. When lentils are finished cooking, drain off any excess cooking liquid, season with pinch of salt, and set aside.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. Cook pasta according to package instruction as this time. Then drain and set aside.
  8. 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.
  9. Add the cooked drained lentils to the sauce and stir to combine. Then add pasta to the sauce and toss to coat.
  10. Serve with any additional toppings such as red pepper flakes and fresh basil.