Lentil Pasta with Salad

Name: Lentil Pasta with Salad
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 yellow onion (diced); 2 garlic cloves (minced); 28 ounce crushed tomatoes; 15 ounce brown lentils (rinsed and drained); 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 0.5 teaspoon salt; 0.25 teaspoon black pepper; 1 pound spaghetti; 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese (grated); 5 ounce mixed green salad; 0.25 cup Italian dressing; 4 slice garlic bread (store-bought)

A robust and easy-to-make vegetarian pasta dish featuring savory brown lentils simmered in a rich tomato sauce, served alongside a simple green salad and crusty garlic bread.

Prep: 10 min
Cook: 20 min
Total: 30 min
Servings: 6
Cuisine: Italian
Difficulty: Easy
Cost: $2.36/serving

Dietary

Vegetarian
Pescatarian
Nut-Free
Soy-Free
Egg-Free
High-Protein
High-Fiber

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 yellow onion (diced)
2 garlic cloves (minced)
28 ounce crushed tomatoes
15 ounce brown lentils (rinsed and drained)
1 teaspoon dried oregano
0.5 teaspoon salt
0.25 teaspoon black pepper
1 pound spaghetti
0.5 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
5 ounce mixed green salad
0.25 cup Italian dressing
4 slice garlic bread (store-bought)

Instructions

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet or pot over medium heat. Add the diced yellow onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic cloves and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Stir in the 28 ounces of crushed tomatoes, 15 ounces of rinsed brown lentils, 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 10-12 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the 1 pound of spaghetti and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain well.
Prepare the garlic bread by baking or toasting according to package instructions.
In a medium bowl, toss the 5 ounces of mixed green salad with 1/4 cup of Italian dressing.
Serve the lentil pasta immediately, topped with 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, alongside the fresh green salad and garlic bread.

Notes

Leftovers store well in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or broth if needed.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: 485
Protein: 24.3 g
Carbohydrates: 74.2 g
Fat: 11.7 g
Fiber: 12.5 g
Sodium: 760 mg
Saturated Fat: 4.1 g
Sugar: 7.8 g
Cholesterol: 15 mg