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Creamy One Pot Pasta Recipe with Lentil Sauce

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A creamy, comforting one-pot pasta dish featuring protein-packed lentils and a velvety tomato-based sauce. Perfect for busy nights and easy cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz whole-grain or regular pasta (penne, fusilli, or spaghetti)
  • 1 cup cooked and drained brown or green lentils (or canned lentils)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 14 oz canned diced tomatoes or tomato puree
  • 3 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 cup milk or plant-based milk
  • Grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for garnish)
  • ½ tsp dried basil
  • ½ tsp dried oregano
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp pepper
  • 2 cups fresh spinach leaves

Instructions

  1. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add minced garlic and chopped onion, and sauté until fragrant and translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
  2. Add canned tomatoes, ½ teaspoon each of basil, oregano, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine and cook for another 2 minutes to let the spices bloom.
  3. Pour in 3 cups of vegetable broth and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in the pasta and ensure it’s submerged in the liquid.
  4. Cover the pot and let the pasta cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Add more broth if the mixture looks too dry.
  5. Once the pasta is al dente, stir in the cooked lentils and 1 cup of milk or plant-based milk. Let it simmer for another 5 minutes to thicken the sauce.
  6. Turn off the heat and fold in the fresh spinach leaves. The residual heat will wilt the spinach.
  7. Serve the pasta hot, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

Notes

[‘Stir the pasta every few minutes to prevent clumping or sticking.’, ‘If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of broth or milk to thin it out.’, ‘Taste and adjust seasoning before serving.’, ‘For extra flavor, add red pepper flakes or a splash of balsamic vinegar.’]

Nutrition

Keywords: One-pot pasta, creamy pasta, lentil sauce, vegetarian pasta, quick dinner, healthy recipe

Find it online: https://avabake.com/creamy-one-pot-pasta-recipe-with-lentil-sauce/