Easy Rigatoni with Lentil Bolognese

This easy lentil bolognese is made very few ingredients that you most likely have hiding in your pantry! The simplicity of the dish lets the flavor and heartiness of the lentils shine.

📝 Ingredients

• 3/4 cup dry small green lentils, picked and rinsed ( see note)
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 pound rigatoni (you can also use any other variety of pasta)
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, sliced thin
• 1-28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1-5 ounce pack baby spinach, rinsed

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1Place the lentils in a medium size sauce pan with at least 5 cups of water and 1 teaspoon of the salt. Bring to a boil, lower the heat to medium and continue cooking in a low boil for 30 minutes or until the lentils are tender, but not mushy.
2. 2While the lentils are cooking, bring a big pot of water to a boil and cook the pasta following the package instructions, reserving about a cup of the cooking water before draining it (remember to generously salt the pasta water)
3. 3In the meantime, heat the olive oil in a large, deep non-stick skillet with a lid. Add the tomato paste and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt and cook over medium-high heat for 3-5 minutes or until the tomato paste starts to caramelize (it will start to turn a darker red)
4. 4Add the onions and the garlic, mix well and cook for 10-15 minutes, or until the onion are soft, stirring often
5. 5Add the crushed tomatoes and red pepper flakes. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for 20 to 25 minutes
6. 6Once the lentils and the pasta are cooked, drain them and add them to the tomato sauce. Add as much of the reserved pasta water as you want (depending on the consistency of the sauce you prefer) and the spinach and toss well. Continue cooking for 3-5 minutes, until the spinach has wilted