Quick Lentil Sauce For Pasta

I’m always looking for easy ways to add iron to meals—especially since it’s one nutrient that can be more challenging for the kids to get enough of. And this easy pasta sauce is a new favorite option. You need just two simple pantry staples, the method takes just a few minutes, and you can store the sauce in the refrigerator or freezer for future easy meals. This sauce doesn’t have as much iron as beef or chicken thighs would have, but it’s an easy way to add a few milligrams to a meal without impacting the expected flavor or texture of the food. It can be a great option for little kids who don’t love other iron-rich foods. We love this as a baby food—try it as a baby food combination with orzo or pastina or mixed with pasta as a finger food or baby-led weaning food—for toddlers, and for the entire family. The tomatoes from the marinara sauce pair nicely with the mellow flavor of the red lentils, so the flavor of the marinara is the primary flavor note. (You may also like Baby Pasta, Taco Pasta, Lentil Patties, Italian Lentils and Rice, and Giambotta vegetable stew.)

Ingredients You Need

Here’s a look at the ingredients you need to make this easy lentil pasta sauce recipe to share with your family. Sign up for our email updates to get tips and ideas sent to your inbox.

Red lentils: Red lentils cook really quickly and are rich in both fiber and iron. They’re also a vegetarian protein source that’s easy to keep on hand. (Note that red lentils are the only type of lentils that work with my instructions, so do not use green or brown lentils, as they take much longer to cook and have a much stronger flavor that may not be as delicious.) Marinara sauce: You can use a jar of sauce from the store or homemade equivalent, such as my Extra-Veggie Marinara, which has additional vegetables including carrots and onions.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Below is an overview of the process involved in making this lentil sauce for pasta recipe so you know what to expect. Scroll down to the end of the post for the full recipe, including the amounts and the timing. Store for future meals, or warm the sauce—in the microwave in a heat-safe bowl or simmer over medium heat in a pot on the stove—and serve with a pound of pasta, meatballs, grains, or other desired food. It’s delicious topped with grated Parmesan cheese, too.

Foods to Pair This Lentil Sauce With

In addition to tossing the sauce with pasta, here are some of my favorite foods and recipes to pair this lentil pasta sauce with for both family meals and quick kids’ meals. This sauce can be used as a dip or as a sauce.

How to Store

Store lentil sauce for pasta for up to a week in the fridge in an airtight container. 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.

Best Tips for Success

Use red lentils only for this recipe. Green and brown lentils take much longer to cook and won’t work the same. Use wax paper to cover the bowl or container with the lentils in it to help prevent it from boiling over. Check every minute during microwaving. Use the sauce with a pound of pasta or for dipping Zucchini Tots, Veggie Nuggets, or Chicken Meatballs. Try adding red lentils to my homemade Marinara Sauce. Adults may enjoy topping their serving with herbs such as shredded fresh basil leaves or parsley, or crushed red pepper flakes, olive oil, dried oregano, and salt to taste. Pair with gluten-free pasta as needed. We love this with a big Caesar salad and a side of Italian or garlic bread. You can make the sauce a little thinner by adding some Vegetable Broth. This may be a good option as a stepping stone from buttered pasta to full red sauce.

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