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One-Pot Tomato Lentil Pasta

30 min

Main

One-bowl / one-pot

Spaghetti in tomato sauce is such a classic dish. This one-pot version cuts down on the dishes without cutting down on all the deliciousness.

Servings

Total

30 min

Prep

10 min

Cook

20 min

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gluten

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soy

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peanut

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tree nut

Sesame symbol

sesame

Ingredients

  • 1 Tbsp (15 mL)
    vegetable oil
  • 4
    cloves garlic, minced
  • 1
    medium onion, chopped
  • 1
    vegetable bouillon cube
  • 1 tsp (1 g)
  • ½ tsp
    chili flakes (optional)
  • 11 oz (300 g)
    dry spaghetti noodles
  • 3 cups (792 g)
    tomato-based pasta sauce
  • 2 cups (480 mL)
    boiling water
  • 2 cups (300 g)
    cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1½ cups (270 g)
    cooked brown lentils
  • ½ cup (68 g)
    green olives, sliced or chopped
  • ⅓ cup (50 g)
    sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained, chopped
  • 1 Tbsp (9 g)
    capers
  • 2 cups (60 g)
    fresh spinach

Optional garnish

  • fresh basil

Directions

  1. Add the oil to a large pot on medium-high heat. When hot, add the garlic, onion, bouillon cube, Italian seasoning, and chili flakes. Cook for 2 - 3 minutes.
  2. Then add the pasta, pasta sauce, boiling water, cherry tomatoes, lentils, olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and capers.
  3. Bring to a gentle simmer and partially cover with a lid. Cook for 10 - 15 minutes on medium heat until pasta is al dente. Stir every few minutes to ensure the pasta doesn't stick to the bottom of the pot.
  4. When the pasta is al dente, add the spinach and stir, cooking for an additional minute.
  5. Serve it generously into bowls, garnish, and enjoy!

Storage

Let us know what you think

Plate method

The Plate Method is a visual tool that helps us ensure our dietary needs are on track. Touch the image below to see how this recipe measures up.

Grains & Starches 39%

dry spaghetti noodles

Proteins 9%

cooked brown lentils

Fruits & Veggies 52%

clove garlic

medium onion

tomato-based pasta sauce

cherry tomato

green olive

sun-dried tomatoes in oil

capers

fresh spinach

Calcium
No significant sources of calcium
Fat

vegetable oil

green olive

sun-dried tomatoes in oil

Nutrition info

We believe that focusing on numbers can harm our relationship with food. Instead, our philosophy is to Nourish the Cells & the Soul. If you require specific nutrition information due to a medical condition, please consult with a dietitian or physician. The nutritional information provided is composed with the utmost care. However, we cannot guarantee the correctness of the displayed values, see also our disclaimer.

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Discussion & Rating

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Chrysiida - Feb. 22, 2024, 2 a.m.

I never thought pasta with tomato sauce could be this exciting! Also it was my first time trying pasta with lentils, and I was surprised at how well they go together??

PUL Team - Feb. 23, 2024, 12:50 a.m.

How exciting to hear, Chrysiida! Lentils are a fun way to change up pasta. In case you haven't seen already and you're on the app, you might like our Spicy Mushroom Lentil Bolognese: https://www.pickuplimes.com/r… 😊


Tina H - Feb. 17, 2024, 5:19 a.m.

Made this tonight after getting started on dinner a bit late. One pot and dinner in about 40 minutes. Gotta love it! Great flavour!


Charlotte - Feb. 13, 2024, 12:55 p.m.

I come back to this recipe again and again and it never gets old! I made it for the first time in a good while last night and it was fantastic. Especially love the fact that it's one pot. πŸ™ŒπŸ»

PUL Team - Feb. 14, 2024, 4:56 a.m.

Yay this is one of our favourite pastas, Charlotte! Gotta love a one bowl pasta πŸ™Œ


sydney hisle - Jan. 16, 2024, 1:53 a.m.

Going to be a staple in my house!!! I added red pepper :)


Becky Medina - Jan. 16, 2024, 12:31 a.m.

It was delish even though I had to make a few adjustments due to lack of ingredients… penne pasta worked well… no olives or capers(β€˜my thrice market delivery is very delayed) used red lentils instead …. Added salt due to lack of olives and capers. Topped it with sunflower seeds … love it and so does my 19yo!!! πŸ’•

PUL Team - Jan. 16, 2024, 10:13 p.m.

Yayy so happy to hear that the pasta was enjoyed with the modifications, Becky, thank you! 😊


Franziska - Jan. 11, 2024, 12:44 p.m.

Love it!


Asia B - Jan. 5, 2024, 1:33 p.m.

Great dish! Creamy and good taste.


Elyse - Jan. 4, 2024, 5:33 a.m.

SO comforting and delicious! I’d been wanting to make this one for a while and got the β€˜nudge’ when I saw it in the β€˜Veganuary’ suggestions. Its amazing to see the pasta soften into the sauce without having to cook it separately! And it becomes creamy in texture and it’s full of flavor. Definitely a much needed cozy bowl of dinner for this first week of January- - happy new year, everyone, and happy Veganuary (VeganAllYear:)!

PUL Team - Jan. 4, 2024, 9:13 p.m.

Yayy we're so happy to hear the recipe was enjoyed, Elyse, thank you! Happy New Year and Veganuary. We're excited to embrace more delicious plant-based goodness this year πŸ˜ƒ 🌱


Kristina S - Jan. 2, 2024, 1:09 a.m.

Does "vegetable oil" really mean "A" vegetable oil, like avocado or olive, or actually vegetable oil? Asking to be sure about the best nutrition choice. Thanks!!

PUL Team - Jan. 3, 2024, 10:11 p.m.

Hey there, Kristina! We generally use a blended vegetable or sunflower oil although any mild flavour oil with a high smoke point, like avocado, grapeseed, or olive oil (not extra virgin through) will do☺️


AnaΓ―s - Dec. 31, 2023, 2:15 p.m.

Great recipe, don't hesitate to add more spinach. I used canned tomatoes and it worked just as well as cherry tomatoes.

PUL Team - Jan. 3, 2024, 2:55 a.m.

So happy to hear it was enjoyed, Anaïs, and thanks for the tips! 😊


Jovana Poljasevic - Dec. 14, 2023, 11:01 p.m.

So good! Such an amazing deep flavors with the best quality ingredients. I did add little bit of dried oregano but even without it would have been amazing!!! β™₯️β™₯️β™₯οΈπŸ™

PUL Team - Dec. 15, 2023, 8:20 a.m.

We're delighted that you enjoyed the pasta, Jovana, and love the idea to add dried oregano πŸ˜ƒ


Bob Cam - Dec. 10, 2023, 9:47 p.m.

Very good recipe, Italian approved! Just made a few changes by adding tomato purΓ©e, a little balsamic vinegar for that umami flavor, and cooking the pasta separately as custom in Italy.

PUL Team - Dec. 11, 2023, 2:41 a.m.

Italian approved is a huuuge compliment! Thank you, Bob ☺️


Angela - Nov. 29, 2023, 7:23 a.m.

Hiya! Would it be okay to freeze this recipe?
Many thanks!

PUL Team - Nov. 29, 2023, 4:20 p.m.

Hey Angela, we haven't tested it but we imagine it would work just fine. You'll want to make sure the pasta is ever so slightly undercooked to prevent the pasta from becoming overcooked when you reheat it. Allowing it to cool after cooking and then freezing will also help prevent the texture from breaking down πŸ€—


Amanda - Nov. 27, 2023, 2:58 a.m.

Very flavorful and comes together super quick


Earl Grey - July 24, 2023, 2:40 p.m.

One of my favourites!


Tanya - July 7, 2023, 6:54 a.m.

I run out of lentils so I had to switch for chickpeas but it was so delicious!


sydney hisle - July 5, 2023, 1:03 a.m.

Love another use for my Dutch oven πŸ€—


Melissa Price - July 4, 2023, 2:54 a.m.

This was my first time making this pasta and it came out so delicious. I normally don’t cook the pasta noodles with the sauce so that it doesn’t soak up all of the juice but no problem with this recipe. Will definitely make again :)

Melissa Price - July 4, 2023, 2:55 a.m.

I also added mushrooms and I think that added a nice texture

PUL Team - July 4, 2023, 3:49 a.m.

Aww sounds lovely, Melissa, we're so happy to hear!


Celina - July 3, 2023, 8:30 a.m.

This tastes really good! Itβ€˜s so easy to make and the flavours are delicious! I especially love the chili flakes. And of course, the fact that it is one pot makes it even better.

PUL Team - July 4, 2023, 12:52 a.m.

Woop woop! Thank you, Celina πŸ€—


Candice C. - June 25, 2023, 6:24 p.m.

My favorite ❀️ ! I’ve made this dish several times. It never fails! Filling and great for lunch the next day!


Altair - June 5, 2023, 9:56 a.m.

This is such a yummy recipe. My new personal favourite. Super easy to make and delicious to taste

PUL Team - June 5, 2023, 7:29 p.m.

A big compliment, Altair, thank you! :D


Courtney - April 6, 2023, 7:05 p.m.

Simple and quick recipe with wonderful flavor. Easy to prep the components early and then cook at dinner time. Always enjoy PUL’s recipes!

PUL Team - April 7, 2023, 9:18 p.m.

Woohoo! Thanks so much, Courtney πŸ˜ƒ


Taylor - March 22, 2023, 5:35 p.m.

Great flavor! I don't know if I messed something up but it was a tiny bit dry.


sofia - Jan. 23, 2023, 7:27 p.m.

i tried it several times. I'm in Italy and my husband was worried I was a traitor to the italian tradition. I wasn't. It's good and perfectly cooked.

PUL Team - Jan. 25, 2023, 4:38 p.m.

A massive compliment, Sofia, we're so glad it's being enjoyed!


Tracy - Sept. 22, 2022, 4:54 a.m.

This was so good! Everyone in my family loved this!


Sarah - June 21, 2022, 10:53 p.m.

Made it tonight for dinner, it was really delicious and easy to plan ahead.

PUL Team - June 22, 2022, 4:18 p.m.

So glad it was enjoyed, Sarah!


Fiona - June 13, 2022, 10 p.m.

Incredible! As always an amazingly tasty recipe, easy to make and satisfyingly filling.
Thank you PUL ❀️

PUL Team - June 16, 2022, 2:33 a.m.

We appreciate it so much, Fiona! Thank YOU πŸ’›


Andy - May 8, 2022, 10:39 a.m.

It’s a really great pasta recipe! Thank you!

PUL Team - May 8, 2022, 7:42 p.m.

Thank YOU, Andy ☺️


S B - March 29, 2022, 6:47 a.m.

This was delicious! I needed a quick meal, this looked good, so I made it. My family enjoyed it, too! Your recipes never disappoint!!

PUL Team - March 29, 2022, 7:58 p.m.

Thank you for taking the time to share the kind words, S B!


Kristen - March 9, 2022, 2:49 a.m.

Made this for my elderly meat loving parents and it was a huge hit! My dad even said it was β€œbetter than regular spaghetti!”. Thanks so much for this recipe!

PUL Team - March 10, 2022, 8:03 a.m.

Awe we're so glad it was enjoyed, Kristen, it means so much!


Clara - Feb. 28, 2022, 8:29 a.m.

One of my favourite noodle recipes of yours !! Easy to make, not much cleaning and a lovely mixture of all different kind of flavours. Thank you :)

PUL Team - Feb. 28, 2022, 8:16 p.m.

So happy to hear! Thanks a bunch, Clara πŸ˜ƒ


Elizabeth - Feb. 27, 2022, 7:53 p.m.

Hello! This recipe’s very nice but could you please add the fact that the water needs to be boiling when poured in the pan ? It’s actually not that obvious :)

PUL Team - Feb. 28, 2022, 7:51 p.m.

Hey Elizabeth, a sincere thank you for the kind words and request! It's super valuable to help us improve. The recipe has been updated accordingly. Do let us know if there's any other feedback 😊


Belle - Feb. 16, 2022, 7:31 a.m.

Yummy!! So good and very easy to make, perfect weeknight dinner

PUL Team - Feb. 16, 2022, 10:05 p.m.

Thank you, Belle, it means so much!


Tynisha - Feb. 16, 2022, 12:22 a.m.

It taste very good and a quick satisfying meal for the family.

PUL Team - Feb. 16, 2022, 9:52 p.m.

So glad to hear, Tynisha, and do let us know if there's any other feedback 😊


Alexandra - Feb. 11, 2022, 7:56 p.m.

This turned out super delicious and creamy! I love the recipe and will definitely make it again - this time for my non-vegan parents-in-law to impress them. :)

PUL Team - Feb. 14, 2022, 2:33 a.m.

Woohoo! We hope they enjoy the pasta, Alexandra, so nice of you to make it for them πŸ˜ƒ


Waleed - Feb. 8, 2022, 3:24 p.m.

Wow, this recipe tasted amazing! Unfortunately, the lentils were only half-cooked because they weren't pre-cooked. Should I let the lentils boil in the tomato sauce/water mixture for 10 minutes before adding the spaghetti?

PUL Team - Feb. 8, 2022, 11:27 p.m.

Hi Waleed, yes you can cook the lentils for longer before adding the pasta noodles. This will help to ensure they're cooked when the pasta is done. We hope this helps for now 😊

Waleed - Feb. 8, 2022, 11:31 p.m.

Thanks you!


Georgiana - Feb. 5, 2022, 6:09 p.m.

One of my favorite pasta recipes from PUL! I've made it several times (including today) and not only with spaghetti, I've tried maccheroni and it works really well!
The lentils & pasta combo is simply amazing, so tasty and nourishing!

PUL Team - Feb. 6, 2022, 8:40 p.m.

Oh we're so honoured, Georgiana! Love changing up the pasta noodles too :)


Joseph - Jan. 31, 2022, 12:38 p.m.

tasty

PUL Team - Jan. 31, 2022, 8:04 p.m.

Thanks, Joseph! Do let us know if you have any other feedback to help PUL improve :D


V - Oct. 31, 2021, 12:21 a.m.

Not a 'one pot recipe' if I have to precook lentils. Super delicious though.

PUL Team - Oct. 31, 2021, 8:06 p.m.

Thanks for the review, V, that's a great point and really valuable to help us improve! Perhaps using the same pot beforehand to pre-cook lentils if needed is one idea. Canned lentils are often pre-cooked which may be another option to consider if desired 😊


Marina - Oct. 28, 2021, 12:33 p.m.

I'm making this for the third time, I love it because it's tasty and I also make a big batch which is useful for a college student. For my budget it's better if I cut out the dried tomatoes and capers but the recipe is super tasty nonetheless. Thank you, Sadia and the PUL team!

PUL Team - Oct. 29, 2021, 5:21 a.m.

Thanks for sharing your take on the pasta, Marina! All the best with your studies πŸ“šβœ¨


Kaylin - Oct. 26, 2021, 8:01 p.m.

I've made this about 10 times. Absolutely one of the most amazing recipes I've ever had. Tastes like it comes from a 10 star restaurant. I love it so much.

PUL Team - Oct. 27, 2021, 2:28 a.m.

You're much too kind, Kaylin, thank you for the glowing review πŸ€—


Athina - Sept. 25, 2021, 3:29 p.m.

I just cooked and ate it. One of the most special and delicious pasta dish I have ever tasted.

PUL Team - Sept. 26, 2021, 1:52 a.m.

A huuge compliment, Athina! Thank you for sharing 😊


Prianca - Sept. 24, 2021, 7:32 p.m.

I was having food aversion due to 🀰🏻, scrolled down your recipes and prepared this tomato pasta, literally licked my plate. Happy me :) thank you for this recipe.

PUL Team - Sept. 24, 2021, 7:44 p.m.

Aw so happy to hear, Prianca! Wishing you and your little one an abundance of health and wellness πŸ’š


Luisa Hdez. - Sept. 17, 2021, 4:52 a.m.

Really loved this recipe, it's really easy to make and it tastes very delicious. I've been trying a lot of recipes from Pick up limes and they don't really dissapoint. Thank you for all your extraordinary job.

PUL Team - Sept. 17, 2021, 5:28 a.m.

Aw a sincere thank you for the support and being here, Luisa! We're so happy you're enjoying the PUL content πŸ€—


Elisabeth - Sept. 11, 2021, 2:59 p.m.

Wow! This recipe is so quick and easy yet so so delicious. I prepared it for myself and my mum the other day, and she loved it :). I didn't have brown lentils though, so I used red lentils, and it was amazing choice. I love that Pick Up Limes provides us with so many delicious, easy and healthy recipes. I feel the good energy from their meals and I love it. Thanks a lot!

PUL Team - Sept. 12, 2021, 4:48 a.m.

Aw we're so glad the pasta was enjoyed, Elisabeth! Thank you for being here and sharing the glowing feedback πŸ₯°


CL - Sept. 8, 2021, 9:04 p.m.

It's my first time putting lentils in spaghetti. I really love the nutty texture it gives to the spaghetti! This dish is full of flavors and easy to make, and definitely gonna be a "signature dish" when hosting friends. :D

Thank you! <3

PUL Team - Sept. 8, 2021, 9:57 p.m.

Hi CL! So happy the pasta was enjoyed, thank YOU 😊


Rene - July 29, 2021, 7:40 a.m.

I have been a meat eater my whole life and am now venturing into a plant based way of eating. I made this with 1 substitution - I didn’t have lentils so I used chickpeas instead. This was by far the best spaghetti I have ever made!! This dish is bursting with flavor and just feels nourishing. Add as a bonus, my husband, who is a meat eater, gobbled this up! A new staple! Thank you 😊

PUL Team - July 29, 2021, 5:57 p.m.

We appreciate this so much, Rene, thank you for sharing! We're so thrilled the pasta has been enjoyed β˜ΊοΈπŸ’š


Clare - July 28, 2021, 8:20 a.m.

I love it!


Mil - July 24, 2021, 6:22 p.m.

I made it for my birthday party, everyone loved it. Some of them made it themselves later. Super easy to make and delicious. Even if you left out some of ingredients pasta is still going to be good.

PUL Team - July 25, 2021, 11:51 p.m.

So honoured a PUL recipe was part of the birthday, Mil, thanks for the lovely review πŸ€—


Paula - July 22, 2021, 7:58 a.m.

I have been checking out recipes here and there and your website is unmatchable!! Wow. Beautiful pictures, videos, nutritionally balanced and can add to my Amazon cart with 1 click! Thank you so so much. Finally, a user friendly vegan site with delicious food.

PUL Team - July 23, 2021, 2:21 a.m.

So glad you're enjoying the recipe and new website, Paula, it means so much! πŸ’–

Paula - July 23, 2021, 3:47 a.m.

I’m making this recipe tomorrow 😁 Keep up what you’re doing! It is helping so many people live healthier lives.


Lyn - July 21, 2021, 9:04 p.m.

This looks delicious β€” planning on making it soon. Could I replace the bouillon cube with vegetable stock, and, if so, how much vegetable stock should I use? Thanks!

PUL Team - July 22, 2021, 6:02 a.m.

Hi Lyn, thanks for the question! You can use totally use vegetable stock in place of bouillon cubes. Half to one cup should do for this one, although we'd recommend giving it a taste test and add more salt or stock if desired. Let us know how the recipe goes if you give it a try πŸ˜ƒ


Babet - July 9, 2021, 3:01 p.m.

Wow. This must be one of my favorite things to make as comfort food. I once made it for my mom and me but she didn't enjoy it. I was so confused but I guess there was more for me! So easy but it has such a rich flavour, I love it.


Emily - July 9, 2021, 1:05 a.m.

It was so easy to make and super delicious!


Alexxis - July 8, 2021, 10:55 p.m.

Perfect comfort food meal!


Carolina S - July 8, 2021, 6:57 p.m.

This is one of my favorite recipes that I keep on rotation! It's really cozy, creamy and easy to make. A true staple! :)


Yvonne - July 6, 2021, 6:30 p.m.

Love this recipe! Have made it a couple times and always find myself coming back to it :) This is the only dish I've cooked with lentils and I've been using canned lentils. so they're cooked, but how can I use dried lentils instead? I'm not sure how to cook those and any help would be appreciated!

PUL Team - July 8, 2021, 6:36 a.m.

Hello Yvonne, we're so glad you're enjoying the pasta! It may be easiest to cook dried lentils separately. You could follow a recipe based on the type you have, but generally cooking dried lentils involves the following steps:
1) When we have time, we like to soak our lentils for at least a couple of hours beforehand to help decrease the cooking time and to help increase nutrient absorption. Soaking, though, is not necessary. We do recommend rinsing them at least though πŸ™‚
2) Add one part of rinsed lentils to a pot with 3-4 parts liquid (such as water or stock). The liquid should usually sit around an inch above the lentils in the pot. Add salt, a bouillon cube, or other spices if desired.
3) Bring the pot to boil, reduce to a simmer, and cook uncovered for 10-15 minutes, or until the lentils are cooked through (squishy but not mushy). If using unsoaked lentils, add an extra ~15 minutes to the cooking time.
4) Drain and enjoy!

We hope this helps. Happy cooking ✨


Rosie - June 18, 2021, 4:57 a.m.

This was my first ever lentil dish, always wanted to try them but was afraid I’d hate them but holy cow!! This pasta was amazing! Thank you!

PUL Team - June 19, 2021, 10:42 p.m.

So lovely the lentils were a nice surprise, Rosie! Glad the pasta was enjoyed :D


Emiliana Chateau - May 11, 2021, 4:24 a.m.

It was delicious and easy! I made it with red lentils :)


Tereza - April 27, 2021, 11:35 a.m.

Amazing recipe! All the family loved it. At first I was nervous about not being able to stuff the dry spaghetti into the pot as it took some time for it to get soft enough to fit in, but it just needed a bit of patience and it turned out just perfect. :D Thanks and greetings from Czechia! :)

PUL Team - April 27, 2021, 4:32 p.m.

So happy with some time the recipe turned out as planned! Thanks for sharing, Tereza, and lots of love back to Czechia! πŸ˜€


Tanrada - April 25, 2021, 9:44 p.m.

I have recently started plant-based diet and I have to say that this dish is AMAZING, very tasty and easy to cook! I love it so much! Thank you Sadia for this recipe and the inspiration :)

PUL Team - April 26, 2021, 6:33 a.m.

We're so glad to hear, Tanrada! All the best on your journey and thanks for allowing PUL to be part of it ✨😊


Agnieszka - April 16, 2021, 2:07 p.m.

This is soo flavourful and delicious! Very easy to prepare too :)

PUL Team - April 19, 2021, 1:56 a.m.

We're so happy to hear this, Agnieszka 🀩


Sarah - April 1, 2021, 6:34 p.m.

Absolutely delicious. It's ike a vegan Bolognese. With parmesan even more delicous and with whole grain pasta even healthier. Thanks for the recipe!

PUL Team - April 3, 2021, 1:25 a.m.

So glad you enjoyed the lentil pasta, Sarah!