Homestyle “Meaty” Tomato Sauce with Lentils and Walnuts

This sauce is a universal crowd pleaser, with few ingredients (and easy to find ones at that),  you simply set it on the stove and let it simmer away until serving. Earthy and hearty this is a go-to sauce for spaghetti, as a filling for vegan lasagna, or spooned over steamed veggies. The walnuts give a significant boost of healthy fats, oils and protein, while lending a “meatiness” and flavor that is unsurpassed. This recipe makes quite a large batch, so feel free to half it or freeze some for a later date.

Homestyle 'Meaty' Tomato Sauce with Lentils and Walnuts

Renee Press

Earthy and hearty this is a go-to sauce for spaghetti, as a filling for vegan lasagna, or spooned over steamed veggies. 

5 from 3 votes

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Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 45 mins

Total Time 55 mins

Course Dinner, Lunch

Cuisine American, Italian

Servings 8 servings

Calories 288 kcal

METHOD Stovetop

DIET Vegan

Ingredients

  

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• 1 cup of yellow onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• 28 ounces of diced tomatoes
• 6 ounces of tomato paste
• 3 cups of water
• 1 1/2 cups of green lentils
• 1 1/2 teaspoons of brown sugar (optional)
• 1 cup of crushed walnuts
• 2 Tablespoons of oregano (fresh or dried)
• 1 Tablespoon of medium-high heat oil (canola, avocado, grape seed, etc)
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• black pepper to taste

Instructions

 

• Heat the oil in a very deep skillet, or medium pot on medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring often.
• Add the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, water, lentils, and brown sugar and stir well. Let simmer, covered, for 30-40 minutes, until lentils are tender but still hold their shape.
• Add crushed walnuts, salt, pepper, and oregano and stir well. Serve over pasta of choice, or use as a sauce filling in your next veggie lasagna.

Nutrition

Calories: 288kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 14gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 8gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 1gSodium: 609mgPotassium: 861mgFiber: 15gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 479IUVitamin C: 18mgCalcium: 103mgIron: 5mg

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