How To Serve Homemade Vegan Pasta
Like for any pasta, you can add cheese on top of your pasta. There is plenty of vegan-friendly cheese available at the grocery store, like vegan parmesan or vegan mozzarella. If you dont fancy the vegan cheese, then add one or a few of the following vegan pasta topping ideas:
- Coconut milk or coconut cream, add a drizzle on top of your plate for extra creaminess.
- Fresh herbs chopped basil or parsley or sage.
- Olive oil a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil enhances the sauces flavor in this easy red lentil recipe.
- Chilli flakes for spicy pasta.
Modern Table Meals & Red Lentil Pasta
Modern Table was started by a group of busy moms, who wanted to bring healthy meals to the table. Looking for recipes that were quick and easy to serve without compromising health for convenience was their mission.Theyve basically reinvented the pasta game while keeping it gluten free and non GMO.
Lentils are one of my favorite protein packed secrets, so I was more than a bit curious to see how this pasta, made from lentils, would taste. While I dont have a gluten allergy, my kids have different levels of intolerance. In addition, I love pasta, but find my body has a tough time digesting it. This could be a great find to add to my pantry staples!
Mediterranean Inspired Red Lentil Pasta Recipe
Do the flavors from different parts of the world take you on a virtual journey? I find taste to be one of the strongest triggers for transporting me to another time and place. When asked by the Meatless Monday team to create a red lentil pasta recipe using lentil penne from Modern Table Meals, spring time and the Mediterranean came to mind.
The robust flavors of citrus, olives and fresh basil were combined for a Mediterranean Inspired Red Lentil Pasta Salad. This recipe will cure a case of wanderlust, and my gluten free friends will especially enjoy a trip to Italy right from their own kitchen.
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How To Store The Pasta
This is a great vegan meal to meal prep your week with a healthy vegan dinner. You can store your cooked pasta in sealed containers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Otherwise, you can freeze them for later. I recommend freezing this healthy red lentil recipe in individual containers so you can thaw one serving at a time.
Always thaw the day before in the fridge. Rewarm in the microwave or in a saucepan over medium heat.
Storage & Meal Prep Tips
Because this salad uses no lettuce or greens, it keeps pretty well in the refrigerator, even when dressed. Store leftovers in an airtight container or a bowl covered tightly with plastic wrap for up to 3 days. If making this salad for meal prep, make sure to use Persian cucumbers and firm cherry tomatoes to avoid any sliminess on day 3.
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How To Serve This Red Lentil Vegan Ragu
For these photos we served this easy red lentil vegan “ragu” over Chickapea brand spaghetti noodles. These noodles are gluten-free and made entirely from chickpeas and lentils. These can be a great option for anyone needing gluten-free or higher protein pastas!
Great ways to serve this “ragu” are:
Over your favourite Italian pastaWith zucchini noodlesOr spaghetti squashIt might even be just thick enough for a “sloppy joe” !
We love making our super quick Easiest Vegan Garlic Bread to go alongside this “ragu”.
Looking For More Pasta Recipes
For an equally decadent dish, try this creamy garlic mushroom pasta. These tofu ricotta stuffed shells are a great vegan option.
- Roasted Butternut Squash Pasta
- No Boil Pasta Bake
- Creamy Mushroom Orzo with Pesto
Did you try this recipe? You can leave a star rating in the recipe card or a review down in the comments section. I always appreciate your feedback! You can also follow along on my , , TikTok, and or sign up for my newsletter!
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Ingredients For This Red Lentil Pasta Recipe
- dry, uncooked red lentil pasta
- extra virgin olive oil
- toasted walnuts
- nutritional yeast
The toasted walnuts and nutritional yeast are combined in a small bowl to create a cheesy vegan topping for the plant based pasta.
Its optional and of course you can use actual cheese if preferred like parmesan or pecorino romano, but I love this for a plant-based option.
The walnuts also add a nice crunchy texture and healthy omega-3 fats while the nutritional yeast brings some impressive stats of its own.
High in B vitamins, fiber and protein, nutritional yeast is a great addition to so many dishes but especially great in pasta dishes for its similarity in taste to real cheese.
I just love the combo of the two sprinkled on top of this easy red lentil pasta dish.
Is Red Lentil Pasta Healthy
Yes, red lentil pasta is a healthy plant-based meal packed with vegan protein and nutrients.
Red lentils are excellent vegan protein, with about 25% protein and full of nutrients like B vitamins, magnesium, zinc, and potassium. They are also very low carb. 100g contains only 20g of carbs, including 8g of fiber, which means it has only 12g of net carbs per 100g!
As a comparison, chickpea, a good plant-based protein source, contains 44g net carbs/100 g. So if you are looking for a vegan, low-carb dinner, red lentils are a great choice.
For more on vegan protein sources, please read my article on where to find plant-based protein.
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
This pasta salad is a fantastic way to get your daily intake of plant-based goodness. On top of being packed with colorful vegetables, the addition of red lentil pasta and canned chickpeas makes it super high in plant protein and fiber.
Here are more reasons to love it:
- Its a great way to enjoy lentils! Lentils are high in protein, fiber and iron.
- It has all the wonderful Mediterranean flavors, from the classic tomatoes, cucumbers and olives to my creamy homemade vegan Greek dressing!
- Its a perfect make ahead salad thats great for meal prep or your next potluck party.
Pin Me Mediterranean Inspired Red Lentil Pasta Salad Recipe
Disclaimer: As a Meatless Monday Ambassador, I received several types of penne to try from Modern Meals. As always, opinions of the product reflect my own tastes and experience.
Editors Note: This post was originally posted in March 2016 and had been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
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How Does Red Lentil Pasta Taste
This is the best red lentil recipe for creamy pasta lovers! Red lentils are the best to turn a sauce into the creamiest sauce without adding any dairy.
You dont even need to soak the lentils or use any fancy kitchen tool to make this sauce.
The red lentil act like all-purpose flour in a white sauce recipe. They thicken the sauce and create the most delicious creamy tomato pasta sauce.
Red Lentil Pasta With Superfood Tomato Sauce
Anjali Shah This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure.
This healthy red lentil pasta recipe is the ultimate easy vegetarian meal that is filled with protein and ready in just 30 minutes! Rich marinara sauce is mixed with tender nutritious vegetables for a wholesome balanced meal that will tickle your taste buds and satisfy even the pickiest of eaters!
This vegetarian& hearty plant based red lentil pasta is served with a savory marinara sauce that is packed with both nutrients and delicious flavors! Perfect as a main course for anytime of the year, this easy recipe is great as lunch or dinner. Using lentil pasta makes this recipe into a gluten-free pasta dish , making it allergen friendly too!
The best part is: the sauce is filled with veggies that no one will even notice! Red bell peppers are mixed with tender spinach and robust garlic that are blended with tomato sauce, which creates the most amazing nutritious sauce filled with tomatoes, Italian spices, and crushed red pepper. Its a great way to sneak veggies in when you have picky eaters in your family.
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Top Tips To Dealing With Gluten
While its true that gluten-free pasta doesnt necessarily behave the same way as traditional pasta when cooked, it doesnt mean that its not enjoyable. Its just about learning to deal with the pasta in a slightly different way than youre used to.
One of the common complaints about gluten-free pasta is that it can easily overcook and become mushy or even break apart, and its true. This is easily remedied, though, by learning the cooking times of the pasta youre dealing with. Its true that, without gluten, this red lentil pasta is more fragile and will break down if overcooked so make sure not to overcook it.
In fact, there are a few tips that I can provide for dealing with gluten-free pasta, like this lentil pasta, to get the best results you can!
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This Red Lentil Pasta Sauce brings tons of protein to your Italian tomato sauce equation.
Which means a scoop of pasta and a scoop of this savory lentil-tomato goodness on top could equal a full, satisfying meal if you want. Score!
I used to call this Red Lentil Pasta Sauce recipe Red Lentil Marinara Sauce, but finally decided to change the name to something that felt a little more accurate.
I first shared this recipe in 2014, and I thought it was super revolutionary to sneak lentils into my sauce. Then lentil bolognese became an actual vegan thing and I sort of feel like my lentil pasta sauce was left in the dust. Poor recipe!
Because the split red lentils dont add a lot of texture to this pasta sauce, I actually dont think its all that bolognese-y, so Im simply calling it a lentil pasta sauce. But I also created another version awhile back with beans AND lentils and named that Legume My Marinara. SIGH. I have pasta sauce branding issues. Anyway, if youre looking for a nice hearty vegan bolognese situation, check that one out too!
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Red Lentil Pasta With Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Garlic Sauce
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Red lentil pasta with a creamy sundried tomato garlic sauce on top.
Need I say more?
This is what easy-dinner-dreams are made of.
I know, I know .. I’m known to have complicated recipes around here. But I mean, meals that are entirely made from scratch at home with feel-good ingredients, usually are.
But not this one folks – and it’s made from scratch , but the sauce is. And it is filled with goodness like red bell peppers, sundried tomatoes, garlic, basil..
How To Make Red Lentil Pasta With Kale
This is a simple 20 minute or so dish with quick steps and a short ingredient list.
First, bring a pot of water to a boil. Once boiling, add the red lentil pasta and cook according to the directions on the package.
I usually drain the pasta a minute before the low end of the cooking time range the package says because I like my pasta al dente.
Drain and rinse with cold water and set aside while the garlicky lemon kale comes together.
In a large skillet, add the olive oil and garlic over medium heat.
Adding the garlic to the skillet before the oil gets hot is key to infuse the oil with the flavor and not overcook/burn the garlic. So make note of this as most recipes have you add garlic once the oil is hot.
Once sizzling, add the kale and vegetable broth. Stir to coat the kale in the oil and garlic mixture and continue cooking until the kale wilts, about 5 minutes.
Turn off the heat and add the lemon juice and zest. Add the cooked red lentil pasta to the skillet and toss everything together until well combined.
Serve the pasta with the prepared toasted walnut and nutritional yeast topping.
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What Is Lentil Pasta
Lentil pasta is a super healthy traditional pasta alternative. Its typically a dried pasta, made with red lentils , green lentils, or other beans like chickpeas or even edamame!
The best lentils pastas have just one simple ingredient: lentils. Thats it! It typically has twice the protein and fiber of regular pasta , with less carbs! Its great option if you have a gluten intolerance too as its completely gluten free.
How long does it take to cook lentil pasta? About the same as normal pasta or whole-grain pasta 10 minutes should be enough time for an al dente feel!
Black Olive Red Lentil Pasta
Post sponsored by Barilla. See below for more details.
When it comes to vegetarian pasta dishes, it can feel a bit harder to get protein into the meals. I typically opt for making a side salad loaded with chickpeas and occasionally Ill make a version of lentil Bolognese. However, sometimes I just want a simple, 20-minute dinner that doesnt take any fuss. Enter this black olive lentil pasta using at Barilla Red Lentil Penne.
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How To Make This Red Lentil Pasta Recipe
Step 1: Heat a large pot over medium heat with the olive oil. Once hot, stir in the carrot, onion, pepper, and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes, until veggies are soft.
Step 2: Stir in the garlic, Italian seasonings, salt, and pepper. Cook an additional 2 minutes.
Step 3: Stir in the tomato paste, then allow to cook down for 3 minutes. Pour in the chicken broth, scrape the bottom of the pan, and cook for 3-4 minutes.
Step 4: Stir in the tomatoes and their juices, slightly breaking up the tomatoes. Allow to simmer, uncovered for about 30 minutes.
Step 5: While sauce simmers, cook red lentil pasta according to package directions.
Step 6: Transfer sauce to blender you may need to do this in batches depending on the size of your blender. Remove the middle portion of the blender lid to allow steam to escape. Blend well. Or, use an immersion blender directly in the pot.
Step 7: Combine the cooked pasta with the sauce. Top with Parmesan cheese to serve, or vegan Parmesan alternative, if preferred.
Step 8: Enjoy!
Red Lentil Pasta With Veggie Packed Tomato Sauce
This healthy red lentil pasta recipe uses pasta that is made from lentils, but you can also use traditional pasta, whole-grain pasta, or even gluten free like brown rice pasta and add lentils to the sauce instead. Ill show you both ways to make it, depending on what you prefer!
Note: this post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
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What To Eat This Pasta Salad With
This salad is a complete meal in itself, since it contains a great balance of micronutrients . Serve it for lunch or dinner, or even a midnight snack .
If you prefer, you can also enjoy this salad as a side, particularly with barbequed meats or fish. It pairs really well with chicken, in my opinion. Try it with Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Thighs or Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Chicken Breasts.
What You Will Need
Red Lentil Pasta: there are many brands of red lentil pasta on the market. I like the kind that only lists red lentils on the ingredient list. For this salad I used red lentil penne.
Canned Chickpeas: a wonderful, high-protein addition to any salads. I always drain, rinse and dry canned chickpeas on paper towels to get rid of extra sodium and tin flavor.
Zucchini: you can roast the zucchini a day or two before, let it cool and store in an airtight container until ready to use.
Cherry Tomatoes: grape tomatoes or multicolor mini tomatoes will also work
Mini Cucumbers: also known as Persian cucumbers, these small firm cukes are my favorite to use in salads because they have fewer seeds and less water content than regular cucumbers.
Red Onion: my favorite onion to use in salads.
Kalamata Olives: make sure to remove any pits if your olives are not pitted. I buy my Kalamata olives in large jars at Costco or Sams club.
Pickled Roasted Red Pepper: sold in jars at most grocery stores. Remove the roasted pepper pieces from the liquid and chop up or slice.
Olive Oil: extra virgin olive oil is what youll need for roasting the zucchini.
Dried Oregano: to add some great Mediterranean flavors to the salad.
Fresh Chopped Herbs: parsley, dill, fresh oregano and chives will all work in this recipe.
Salt & Pepper: for seasoning. I use pink Himalayan salt and freshly ground pepper for best flavors and texture.
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Creamy Sundried Tomato Garlic Sauce
and of course it’s free of refined oil, refined sugar, and it happens to be gluten free as well, so hooray for that!
I love using lentil pasta as my pasta of choice. It’s gluten free, less processed than wheat pasta, and it’s alkaline compared to wheat which is acidic to the body.
I’ve tried black bean pasta before and I’m not really a fan. Not sure if it’s user-error but black bean pasta always turns out really mushy for me, and breaks down way too easily.