Mum Dump
Lentil Bolognaise
Recipe by Nicola Scruby
It's that time of week again! The kids were screaming at the end of this dump but it still turned out and they DEMOLISHED it. Everything goes into one baking dish, the pasta cooks in the sauce, and the cheese goes on at the end. No browning, no boiling, no second pot.
Why this one is on repeat
Lentils, tomatoes, bone broth, grated carrot and a little maple syrup to round out the acidity. Gluten-free pasta goes in dry and soaks it all up.
Lentils bring plant protein, fibre and iron, and the tomatoes and passata bring vitamin C, which helps the body absorb that plant iron. Bone broth instead of water adds body and extra protein, and the cheesy top is what gets it over the line with the kids.
Looking for more dinners like this? Browse our recipes for the whole family.
Ingredients
Sauce
- 1 × 400 g can brown lentils, rinsed and drained
- 1 × 400 g can crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup (250 ml) passata
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 cups (500 ml) bone broth or stock
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, crushed
- 1 carrot, grated
- 1 tbsp sweet paprika (not smoked or hot)
- 1 tbsp dried oregano or mixed herbs
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- Pinch of salt
Pasta and top
- 150 g gluten-free shells, tubes or spirals (uncooked)
- 200 to 300 g grated cheese (cheddar + mozzarella)
Method
- 01 Preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan). Use a deep baking dish, roughly 20 × 30 cm.
- 02 Add everything except the pasta and cheese to the dish. Stir well until the tomato paste is fully mixed through.
- 03 Stir in the dry pasta. Push it under the liquid so every piece is submerged. If it isn't, add more water until the pasta is fully covered.
- 04 Cover tightly with foil (or a lid) and bake for 30 minutes.
- 05 Take it out, stir well to separate the pasta, and test a piece. If it's still firm, cover and bake another 5 to 10 minutes. If it looks dry, add a splash of broth.
- 06 Uncover, top generously with cheese, and bake 12 to 15 minutes until golden and bubbling. Grill for the last 2 minutes for extra crispy!
- 07 Rest 5 to 10 minutes before serving. The sauce thickens as it sits.
