Lentil Bolognese over Gluten-Free Pasta

This Lentil Bolognese takes all the cozy, slow-simmered flavor of a classic Italian ragu and makes it entirely plant-based and gluten-free. Brown lentils simmer low and slow in a rich tomato base built on a classic soffritto of onion, carrot, and celery, deepened with garlic, tomato paste, red wine, and a bundle of fresh herbs until the sauce turns thick, glossy, and deeply savory. It tastes like it's been on the stove all day, but comes together in under an hour. Because traditional wheat pasta is off the table for anyone managing celiac disease, gluten sensitivity, or wheat allergy, this recipe is tossed with certified gluten-free pasta — brown rice, corn, or a quinoa blend all work beautifully and have a nutty, hearty bite that stands up to the thick lentil sauce. Be sure to double check that your pasta, broth, tomato paste, and wine are all labeled gluten-free, since trace gluten can hide in processed broths and thickened sauces. This is the kind of dinner that satisfies every comfort-food craving while quietly packing in fiber, plant protein, and vegetables. It reheats beautifully, making it perfect for meal prep, and is easily doubled to feed a crowd or stash extra sauce in the freezer for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

• 3 tbspolive oil
• 1 mediumyellow onion, finely diced
• 2 mediumcarrots, finely diced
• 2celery stalks, finely diced
• 4 clovesgarlic, minced
• 3 tbsptomato paste, check label for gluten-free certification
• 0.5 cupDry red wine, gluten-free certified, optional
• 28 ozcrushed tomatoes, one can
• 1 cupbrown or green lentils, rinsed and picked over
• 2 cupsvegetable broth, gluten-free certified
• 2bay leaves
• 1 tspdried oregano
• 1 tspdried basil
• 0.25 tspred pepper flakes, optional
• 1 tspsalt, plus more to taste
• 0.5 tspblack pepper
• 12 ozgluten-free pasta, brown rice, corn, or quinoa blend, certified gluten-free
• 0.25 cupFresh basil or parsley, chopped, for garnish
• 0.25 cupParmesan cheese, grated, optional, use gluten-free certified or dairy-free alternative

Method

No instructions listed.