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Farfalle with Lentil Ragù

17/11/2023

Farfalle with lentil ragù is a delicious and hearty dish, a great vegetarian alternative to the classic meat ragù. Here’s how to make it:

Ingredients

  • 350 g of farfalle (or pasta of choice)
  • 200 g of dry lentils (or about 400 g if they are already cooked)
  • 1 carrot
  • 1 celery stalk
  • 1 onion
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • 400 g of canned peeled tomatoes
  • 1 tablespoon of tomato paste
  • 1 glass of red wine (optional)
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Dried oregano
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

  1. Mise en Place: If you are using dry lentils, soak them the night before or at least a couple of hours before preparation. Drain them well before using. Finely chop the onion, celery, and carrot to prepare the base for the sauce.

  2. Sauté: In a large pan, heat a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and sauté the chopped onion, carrot, and celery until they become transparent. Add the minced garlic and let it flavor for a minute.

  3. Lentils: Add the pre-soaked lentils to the pan and lightly toast them with the base.

  4. Deglazing: If you decide to use red wine, this is the time to pour it over the lentils and allow the alcohol to evaporate.

  5. Tomato: Add the canned peeled tomatoes and tomato paste. Season with salt, pepper, add the bay leaf, and a sprinkle of dried oregano. Let it cook on medium-low heat for at least 30 minutes, until the lentils are tender (timing may vary depending on the lentil type).

  6. Pasta Cooking: In a pot of boiling salted water, cook the farfalle following the package instructions to keep them al dente.

  7. Finishing: Drain the pasta and add it to the lentil ragù in the pan, mixing well to blend the flavors.

  8. Serving: Serve hot, with a sprinkling of grated Pecorino or Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Curiosity: This dish is also excellent for those following a vegan diet, just omit the grated cheese or replace it with a plant-based alternative. Lentils are a great source of vegetable protein and give the ragù a consistency very similar to ground meat, making this dish an ideal substitute even for non-vegetarians.

Farfalle with Lentil Ragù