Quick Lentil Sauce for Pasta

Lentil pasta in two white bowls with spoon.

5 from 15 votes

Learn this easy technique to add iron and fiber to pasta sauce without impacting the flavor or texture. This is a great option to make a meal a little more satisfying and as an iron-rich vegetarian meal. (You can start with half the amount of lentils to start to ensure the kids like the sauce, if desired.)

Prep Time5

Cook Time3

Total Time8

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Servings:

Calories: 60kcal

Author: Amy Palanjian

Ingredients

½ cup red lentils (uncooked)
24- ounce jar marinara sauce (or homemade equivalent)

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Add the lentils to a heat-safe bowl or large measuring cup. (Choose a large bowl or cup, as the water will boil. Space will help prevent it from boiling over.) Cover with 1 cup water. Place into the microwave and cook for 3 minutes, stopping every minute to allow the water to settle. (This, too, helps it from boiling over.)
Drain the lentils, which should be very soft.
Add the drained lentils to a blender with the marinara sauce. Blend smooth.
Warm the sauce and serve with a pound of prepared pasta or meatballs, grains, or other desired food.

Notes

Store sauce for up to a week in the fridge in an airtight container. Or to store in the freezer, you can pour the sauce into an ice cube tray and freeze. Transfer the frozen cubes to a freezer bag, remove as much air as possible, and freeze. The sauce can stay frozen for a year.
Thaw a cube or two for a single portion overnight in the fridge or in a bowl at room temperature. Or pour the hot pasta over a cube, place a plate on top to trap the heat, and let sit for about 5 minutes. Stir and serve.
Use red lentils only for this recipe. Green and brown lentils take much longer to cook and won't work the same.
Cover the bowl or container with wax paper to prevent it from boiling over. Stop the microwave every minute during cooking.
Use the sauce with a pound of pasta or as a dip for Zucchini Tots, Veggie Nuggets, or Chicken Meatballs.
Try adding red lentils to my homemade Marinara Sauce.

Nutrition