Lentil Pasta Recipe: A Healthy Alternative to Traditional Pasta

Lentil pasta is a healthy alternative to traditional pasta, offering a great option for vegetarians and those who like nutritious dishes. It's easy, convenient, and satisfying. You can make it in one pot in about 30 minutes.

This recipe combines easy cooking with great nutrition since lentils are a rich source ofprotein andfiberThis meal is complete and filling. Whether you want a light main meal or a healthy side dish, lentil pasta gives you a tasty choice with flavor and nutrition in every bite.

In this article, we'll go over the ingredients of the lentil pasta recipe in detail, plus how to prepare it with instructions and nutrition info.

Lentil pasta ingredients

• Pasta

In the recipe pasta with lentils, regular wheat pasta is used. Ditalini pasta is the most traditional type for this recipe. You can find it in most stores, often from an imported Italian brand like Barilla.

Also, you can use any pasta type or shape you like, and you can get gluten-free types too. Gluten To make this dish fit with a gluten-free diet. 

• Lentils

You can use dried green or brown lentils in this recipe. It is not recommended to use red lentils in this recipe because they won't hold their shape after cooking.

• Carrots, onions, olive oil

A simple flavor base is made using extra virgin olive oil, andcarrots.This is common in Italian cooking and the best way to add flavor to a dish. You can also boost flavor by adding some chopped celery to this mix.

• Garlic, rosemary, bay leaves

adds garlic Rosemary and bay leaves add more flavor and aroma to lentil pasta. You can swap rosemary and bay leaves for fresh thyme sprigs, dried oregano, and sage.

• Tomato paste

Tomato paste gives a rich, tasty color and flavor. It makes this recipe better and helps create a steadier taste. If you don't have tomato paste, you can add extra cherry tomatoes.

• Cherry tomatoes

You can use any small kind of tomatoes for this recipe, including cherry, plum, and date tomatoes, which add freshness, sweetness, and acidity.

Cherry tomatoes can be replaced with a small can of crushed tomatoes. You can also add more veggies to this recipe, including Cabbage chopped andSpinach andSwiss chard andPotatoes cut up.

• Vegetable broth

Both lentils and pasta are cooked in vegetable broth. Vegetable broth is preferred over chicken broth to keep the recipe vegetarian so everyone in the family can eat it. Water can also be used instead.

• Salt, black pepper

Used Salt For taste and freshly ground black pepper for aroma. You can also add some flakes pepper red as you like.

• Parsley

When serving lentil pasta, you can add leaves of parsley fresh ones as they add more freshness to the dish. You can replace them with fresh leaves of basil which goes well with this dish.

How to make lentil pasta

• Preparation time = about 35 minutes.
• Number of servings = 2 servings.
• Calories per serving = 260 calories.

Ingredients:-

• 200 grams of ditalini pasta or any pasta you like.

• 1 cup of dried green or brown lentils.

• 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil.

• 1 medium chopped onion.

• 1 large carrot, chopped.

• 2 cloves of minced garlic.

• 1 sprig of rosemary or thyme.

• 2 bay leaves or sage.

• 2 tablespoons of tomato paste.

• 12 cherry tomatoes cut in halves.

• 4 cups of chicken broth.

• 500 ml of water or 2 cups of chicken broth to cook the pasta.

• 1 teaspoon of salt or more to taste.

• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper.

• 2 tablespoons parsley.

Preparation method:

1. Heat olive oil in a large pan or pot.

2. Add chopped onion and carrot to the oil, fry for 4 minutes.

3. Add grated garlic, rosemary sprig, bay leaves, 2 tablespoons tomato paste, and cook for another minute, stirring constantly.

4. Add lentils. Rinse 1 cup dried lentils and add to the pan with chopped tomatoes, vegetable broth cups, salt, and black pepper.

5. Cover the mix, lower heat, and simmer for 20 minutes until lentils are nearly cooked. Stir occasionally.

6. Add the pasta, along with two more cups of chicken broth or 500 ml of water. Let it simmer on low heat for about 12 minutes until the pasta is cooked, stirring occasionally to prevent it from sticking to the pan.

7. If the pot dries out, you can add more broth or water.

8. Taste the food to adjust salt before serving with a sprinkle of chopped parsley.

9. Serve the lentil pasta with a squeeze of lemon or a sprinkle of cheese Parmesan.

Calories in the lentil pasta recipe

Here are the calories and full nutrition facts for the lentil pasta recipe above:-

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