Red Lentil Sauce Pasta…Life is Good.

Red lentil sauce pasta is one of my favorite meals to eat and make. It is such a simple and delicious dish. When I first saw a recipe for a red lentil sauce pasta I was intrigued and excited to try the recipe but it didn’t turn out so well the first time…it lacked flavor. I don’t recall how I originally made it but I have altered it and transformed it into a dish I enjoy. There are different modifications in recipes so you might have to play with it until it sparks your taste buds but I will share with you my recipe.

Now, this is a meal I have made many times and usually I make it for others because it is such an easy and inexpensive meal but today I ate it alone and it was kind of nice. I sat enjoying every tasty bite with my neighbor’s dog beside me thinking life is good…

Dogs are great companions…they don’t talk, just listen 🙂 But now you are probably wondering how this relates…well it doesn’t completely but while I sat with Fenway (the dog) enjoying this dish I started to think about how much of my time is spent with people either communicating via phone or e-mail or just giving my time to the people I love (which I love!) but when do I just have me time? Sometimes in this crazy world we forget about taking care of ourselves and taking time alone. At least this is something I lose a lot when my life gets chaotic (which is constant!). But the moments where all is calm and I am alone (or with the neighbor’s dog) with my own thoughts is when I appreciate life…or at least this is when I have time to actually ponder life.

Luckily, it only took a tasty meal to remember all the great things in my life…this pasta included 🙂

Red Lentil Sauce:

  • 1 c. red lentils (bulk at Whole Foods or other Natural Grocery)
  • 1 can diced tomatoes (do not drain)
  • 2 c. water or broth (I usually use chicken broth or a combination)
  • 1/2 large onion, chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced or chopped finely
  • pepper
  • basil, fresh or dried (1 t)

Abbreviations: c = cup; t = teaspoon

The Especially Simple Instructions:
1. Start by chopping onion. Then cook onion in a saucepan with olive oil (pan needs to be large enough to hold all ingredients) until tender.
2. Place the rest of the ingredients into the pan. Bring to a boil, then cover and let simmer until lentils are tender (about 20 minutes).

Pasta:
Red Lentil Sauce is great over pasta. I usually choose whole wheat penne pasta but anything will work. Gluten-free pasta can be substituted here as well. Though I haven’t tried it, I bet this would be good over rice too. If you have any veggies (mushrooms, fresh tomatos, artichokes) or greens (spinach, arugula, etc.) on hand they make a great addition to the meal. I usually toss fresh spinach into the warm pasta.

To include veggies, add them before the lentils and other ingredients or cook them in a separate pan. The nice texture of the red lentils combined with its cooking characteristics makes this a delicious and hearty meal.

I hope everyone will take time to themselves this week…whether it be a bath, enjoying a glass of wine, making a meal for yourself, rocking out to your favorite song or driving to work in silence (no music or phone calls!) so you have time to think.

Music For Your Ears:

~Home by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
Home is wherever I’m with you

Comments

  1. great way to start a Monday…and now I want to cook the delicious dish

  2. Life IS good! Yummy – and healthy too! Delicious! xo

  3. I’m not sure what you said to Fenway, but it must have been hilarious. 😆

  4. I have a bestie who swears by red lentil pasta bolognaise! I think you ladies might be onto something!!! Still on holiday and enjoying the folks cooking, lol no recipe ideas a such but might harass my dad for a few! Heheh…

  5. I love pasta, I like lentils, I will try it – copy off my printer as we speak.

  6. Looks great! I am definitely going to try this one out.

  7. This sauce looks so tasty! I love how simple it is!

  8. I’m gonna give it a try, lentils I already eat and they are not only nice from taste but also very healthy !

    • Yes I love that they are yummy and healthy! Let me know how it goes 🙂

      • When I eat them I put the dry lentils into the water, and when they ‘re ready you’ve cook them not to long, after prepare them with some good olive oil, garlic, salt and some fresh tomatos altogether and so you can eat them or with firsh or meat, bon apetit !