Oh this is a very tasty dish! Bolognese with lentils and salsiccia makes for a deliciously rich pasta bolognese with layer and layers of flavor, texture and umami magic. Mildly spicy Italian sausage add richness to an otherwise vegetarian dish. While my very own Elle Herbs bolognese spice mix adds that extra special flavouring that makes this Italian classic a forever favourite.
Elle Herbs bolognese spice mix
Beside adding all the essentials flavours needed for any bolognese recipe, there is one little secret ingredient which adds a little extra umami: dried porcini mushrooms. It gives this spice mix that extra special something that will keep you coming back again and again for more. And of course, quality is king when it comes to any ingredients used in cooking — including spices. So with all natural, high-quality ingredients like tomato, paprika, oregano, garlic, onion, sage and basil it’s easy to make a simple pasta bolognese unforgettable.
How to make this Bolognese Sauce
The preparing part is straightforward, even in a slow-cooked version like this.
- Sauté the Italian sausage and onion – about 5 minutes;
- Add the vegetables and let them slowly cook for a good 20 minutes to bring out the flavour and aroma.
- Add even more aroma with spices and tomato paste which get caramelised by cooking it for 1-2 minutes before add the rest of the ingredients.
- And here comes the rest. Again slowly cooked, until the lentils are cooked and the sauce richness into something utterly indulgent.
What to serve with Spaghetti Bolognese
- For a classic Italian dinner, serve this with:
- Crusty bread, or go extra indulgent and make some homemade garlic bread
- Green or garden salad with French dressing
- For a super quick side salad option, you can easily toss arugula leaves with a drizzle of olive oil, lots of lemon juice and grated Parmesan. Simple and delicious. Perfect for an effortless-no-chop salad!
Bolognese with Lentils and Salsiccia
This bolognese with lentils and Italian sausage is a richly flavourful sauce that is a sure crowd pleaser. Slow cooked to perfection. Serves 4-6.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 300 g Salsiccia Peperoncino (Italian sausage), casings removed and chopped into small pieces
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 small carrot finely chopped
- 1 celery stalk, finely chopped (optional)
- 1 tablespoon Bolognese spice mix
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 x 680 g glass pureed tomato (passata)
- 125 g French green lentils (lentilles du Puy)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt, or to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 500 g dried pasta of choice
- Grated parmesan cheese, for serving
- Chopped parley, to garnish
Method
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1 Heat the olive oil in a large deep skillet or wok over medium to medium -high heat. Add the sausage and onion and cook until the onion has softened, about 5 minutes. Use a wooden spoon to break up the sausage as it cooks. Stir in the carrot and celery and cook for 5 minutes, then reduce the heat slightly and cook for 15 minutes, until vegetables are tender.
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Add the bolognese spice mix and garlic. Stir to combine and cook until fragrant, 1-2 minutes. Add the tomato paste, and cook stirring for another 1-2 minutes.
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Add the pureed tomatoes and 1 1/2 cups of water (375 ml). Stir in the lentils and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and cook gently until the lentils are tender, about 35-40 minutes. Add more water, if needed.
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One the sauce is cooked, reduce heat to low and cover with a lid while you prepare the pasta.
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Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook, according to pasta instructions, until al dente. Drain the pasta and serve with bolognese lentil-salsiccia sauce. Top with Parmesan and parsley and enjoy!
Notes
- Salsiccia Peperoncino is a mildy spicy Italian sausage. It can also be replaced with very mild Salsiccia. Or if you can only find a mild sausage, you can also add red pepper flakes to the sauce for a little extra spice.
For a relaxing atmosphere in the kitchen I recommend my personal Elle Republic: Chilled Out Kitchen Tunes Playlist auf Spotify.
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