Vegan Meat Sauce With Lentils And Quinoa Served With Pasta
A delicious, flavorful, and protein rich Quinoa and Lentil "Meat" Sauce served over pasta! This vegan meat sauce alternative is achieved using quinoa and lentils. This makes for a natural whole food alternative to using fake meats! This recipe is the perfect example of comfort food made in a whole foods plant based way!
Equipment
- Rice Cooker
- Large Pot
- Large Sauce Pan
Ingredients
- 1 24oz Jar Marinara Sauce I used Trader Joes Garlic Marinara
- 1/2 White Onion Diced
- 4 Cloves Garlic Minced
- 1/2 Cup Split Red Lentils
- 3/4 Cup White Quinoa
- 6 oz Pasta I used Penne Pasta
- To Taste Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder, Italian Seasoning, Cayenne Pepper. Optional: I always add my own spices to taste to enhance the flavor or store bought pasta sauce.
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
Instructions
- Drain and rinse lentils until water runs clear over them. Combine Lentils, Quinoa, 2.5 cups of water, and a dash of salt in a rice cooker. Turn rice cooker on and allow them to cook until the rice cooker pops.
- Boil water and cook the pasta of your choice according to the directions on the pasta's packaging.
- Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a sauce pan over medium heat. Sauté garlic and onions until soft. Pour the jar of marinara sauce over top. Season with desired spices to taste and stir well. Lower heat.
- After the quinoa and lentils have fully cooked, slowly add them to the marina sauce and combine.
- Serve the marinara sauce over the pasta and top with nutritional yeast, parmesan, cracked pepper, or crushed red pepper flakes.