Instant Pot lentil bolognese sauce! One of my favorite high protein plant based dinners ready in about 30 minutes! Serve on top of bean pasta and you have a filling, nourishing and high protein dinner thats super easy to throw together and let the Instant Pot do all the work!
INGREDIENTS
- 1 onion diced
- 4 oz mushrooms diced small (I use crimini/baby bellas)
- 1 tbsp oil or veggie broth for sautéing
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 carrots diced
- 1 25-30 oz jar marinara sauce (use whatever brand is your favorite/ with good flavor! I try to find one thats lower in sodium)
- 1 cup brown lentils rinsed and sorted
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional for some heat)
- 3/4 cup plant based pea protein crumbles (optional, for extra protein and meaty texture. I use the brands Plant Boss or Plant Basics)
- 2 cups water or veggie broth
STEPS
- 1. Turn the Instant Pot to “sauté” mode and wait for it to warm up. Add in the onions and mushrooms and let those cook for 3-4 minutes.
- 2. Add in the rest of the ingredients and stir. Press “cancel” to shut off “sauté” mode, then press “pressure cook” or “manual” for 10 minutes. When the timer goes off do a natural release for another 20 minutes, then release the rest of the pressure manually. Serve on top of your favorite cooked pasta, in a lasagna, or any other recipe that requires a meat sauce.
Instant Pot Lentil Bolognese
Lentils, onion, carrots, mushrooms, marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, plant based protein
Equipment
- 1 Instant Pot or other electric pressure cooker
Ingredients
- 1 onion diced
- 4 oz mushrooms diced small I use crimini
- 1 tbsp oil or veggie broth for sautéing
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 carrots diced
- 1 25-30 oz jar marinara sauce
- 1 cup brown lentils rinsed and sorted
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes optional
- 3/4 cup plant based pea protein crumbles optional, for extra protein and meaty texture
- 2 cups water or veggie broth
Instructions
- 1. Turn the Instant Pot to "saute" mode and wait for it to warm up. Add in the onions and mushrooms and let those cook for 3-4 minutes.
- 2. Add in the rest of the ingredients and stir. Press "cancel" to shut off "sauté" mode, then press "pressure cook" or "manual" for 10 minutes. When the timer goes off do a natural release for another 20 minutes, then release the rest of the pressure manually. Serve on top of your favorite cooked pasta, in a lasagna, or any other recipe that requires a meat sauce.
Notes
I use the brand “Plant Boss” or “Plant Basics” pea protein crumbles for extra protein and to add a chewy/ meaty texture in this recipe. You can find them on Amazon or health food grocery stores like Sprouts or Whole Foods. Another sub would be TVP, or just omit completely and it wont effect the final result.
