Lentil bolognese served in two bowls with parmesan

Easy lentil bolognese for busy family dinners

Name: Easy lentil bolognese for busy family dinners
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 h 10 min
Total time: 1 h 25 min
Yield: 0
Ingredients: 3 tbsp olive oil; 2 onions finely chopped; 3 carrots finely chopped; 3 celery sticks, finely chopped; 3 garlic cloves crushed; 500 g bag dried red lentils; 2 400 g cans chopped tomatoes; 2 tbsp tomato purée; 2 tsp each dried oregano and thyme; 3 bay leaves; 1 l vegetable stock; 500 g spaghetti; parmesan or vegetarian cheese, grated, to serve

MadeForMums

Published: May 5, 2026 at 9:21 AM

Save recipe

Serves 6

Easy

Prep: 15 mins

Cook: 55 mins - 1 hr and 10 mins

A hearty meat-free lentil bolognese the whole family will love, perfect for batch cooking.

Easily doubled

Freezable

Vegetarian

Skip to ingredients

If you are looking for a comforting, budget-friendly dinner that feeds a crowd and packs in the veg, this lentil bolognese is a brilliant one to have on repeat.

Made with red lentils, tomatoes and plenty of finely chopped vegetables, it delivers all the cosy, slow-cooked flavour of a classic ragu, but in a meat-free version that is ideal for family meals. Even better, it makes enough to stash in the fridge or freezer for those evenings when cooking from scratch feels impossible.

And as with all the best family recipes, there are plenty of safe, manageable jobs for little helpers along the way.

Why we love this lentil bolognese

Serves 6, ideal for larger families or batch cooking
Prep in 15 minutes
Vegetarian and budget friendly
Freezes well for up to 3 months
Easy for kids to help make

Red lentils are a great ingredient to cook with children. They are inexpensive, quick to cook and naturally high in fibre and protein, helping to keep little tummies fuller for longer.

Batch cooking and storage tips

This recipe is perfect for planning ahead.

Cool the sauce completely, then chill in the fridge for up to 3 days
Freeze in portions for up to 3 months
Defrost overnight, then reheat gently on the hob until piping hot

Having a few portions of lentil bolognese in the freezer can be a lifesaver during busy weeks of after-school clubs, late work calls and general family juggle.

Serve with a simple green salad or steamed broccoli for an easy, nourishing dinner that feels hearty and wholesome, with minimal fuss.

Ingredients

Nutrition

3 tbsp olive oil
2 onions

finely chopped
3 carrots

finely chopped
3 celery

sticks, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves

crushed
500 g bag dried red lentils
2 400 g cans chopped tomatoes
2 tbsp tomato purée
2 tsp each dried oregano

and thyme
3 bay leaves
1 l vegetable stock
500 g spaghetti
parmesan

or vegetarian cheese, grated, to serve

Nutrition: per serving

kcal715
fat9g

low
saturates1g

low
carbs120g
sugars15g
fibre14g

high
protein33g
salt1.05g

low

Method

step 1

Heat the oil in a large saucepan and add the onions, carrots, celery and garlic. Cook gently for 15 to 20 minutes until everything is softened.

Little helper job: Older children can help measure the oil and add the pre-chopped vegetables to the pan. They can also stir with a wooden spoon under close supervision while the heat is low.
Grown-up job: Handle all chopping and supervise at the hob.
step 2

Stir in the lentils, chopped tomatoes, tomato purée, herbs and stock. Bring to a simmer, then cook for 40 to 50 minutes until the lentils are tender and saucy. Splash in a little water if needed. Season to taste.

Little helper job: This is a great stage for children. They can rinse the lentils in a sieve, pour in the chopped tomatoes and sprinkle in the dried herbs. Measuring and tipping ingredients builds confidence and early maths skills.
Grown-up job: Bring the pan to a simmer and monitor while cooking.
step 3

If eating straight away, keep the sauce on a low heat while you cook the spaghetti following the pack instructions. Drain well, divide between bowls and spoon the sauce over the top. Finish with grated cheese.

Little helper job: Children can help break spaghetti in half if you prefer shorter strands, grate cheese with supervision, and spoon sauce onto their own bowl.
Grown-up job: Drain the pasta safely and handle boiling water.

Authors

MadeForMums