Pasta with Tomato Lentil Sauce Recipe
Healthy Pasta Recipe
Ingredients:
1 cup diced onion
1-1/2 teaspoons freshly minced garlic
1-1/2 teaspoons dried basil
1-1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
1/4 cup dry red wine
1/2 cup dry lentils or 1 cup cooked
4 bay leaves
1-1/2 cups water
1-1/2 cups tomato puree
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2-1/2 ounces dried pasta per serving
Directions:
Braise the onions, garlic, basil, and oregano in red wine. (If you are using cooked lentils, ignore the information regarding lentil preparation and omit the bay leaves.) While the onions are cooking, put the lentils and bay leaves into a separate pot with 11/2 cups water and cook for 30 minutes, until done. Do not overcook the lentils because they will need to retain their shape.
After the onions have softened, add the tomato puree. Let cook for approximately 20 minutes, until some of the liquid is reduced and the sauce has thickened.
When the lentils have finished cooking, remove the bay leaves. Drain the lentils and add them to the sauce. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling water, according to package directions without using salt, until al dente -- tender but firm to the bite. Drain. Serve the sauce over the pasta.
Recipe yields 2-3/4 cups sauce (3 to 5 servings).
Note: This very hearty sauce works with lasagna as well.
