Lentils in spag bol

[Vagessence]

I'm trying to be a cheapo but I don't want to sacrifice on taste. Do lentils change the flavour of spaghetti bolognese? I'd like to switch from 500g to 250g of mince, can I achieve that with lentils and everything basically taste the same?

I’m vegetarian so make bolognese from veg mince and lentils, or just lentils. I would say they enhance the flavour, but I do like lentils.

Maybe bulk out with some veg as well, finely chopped carrots, courgettes, mushrooms?

I think red lentils are pretty unoffensive flavour and texture wise.

I do that. Used to use red but now I use half mince and half lentils. I think the trick to good Bolognese is plenty of flavour and it has to have a good splash of red wine. I also bulk it up with as much veg (and some mushrooms) as I can fit in and it usually does several dinners. It may be a very distant relative to the original recipe but tasty and fills us up with good stuff. I left out meat last time and nobody (including meat addict dh) noticed.

Oh sorry: i used to use red lentils bbut now I use puy.

I add lentils to every mince meat dish I make (I usually use the tinned green ones, buy I've used red lentils too)

Lentils are just fine.
I've found that grated carrot is lovely in place of some mince too. It gives it a fresher taste, less greasy and is much lighter.

Even carnivore DH likes mince/lentil combo in spaghetti bolognase

Puy lentils have a better texture than red in this recipe, they don't go so mushy. Any dried mushrooms you have hanging around are also a good addition along with red wine.

My DH and both kids don’t like lentils, red or green or put, i’ve Tried them all, in spag Bol. They notice immediately and complain. It’s a shame as I like them, in fact would be happy to go without meat altogether. I can add a small amount of veggies, but again too many draws complaints.

I use red lentils as a bulking agent. They disappear in a slow-cooked ragu or other dish, & make it cheaper & less fatty. Their mild taste is also disguised by whatever herbs, spices & wine is used.

Do you have to wash/soak the lentils or just chuck them in? I remember cooking stews 8,000 years ago and skimming the froth off. Does it matter if the froth is absorbed? I usually just use Quorn/soya mince but would like to bulk it out with lentils.

Sorry for hijack.

red ones you can chuck straight in.
the others need soaking first or you can use tinned.

You don't need to soak puy lentils, but you do need to cook them separately: about 20 mins in some stock, until they are cooked but with a little bite.

I put porridge oats in anything with mince. No taste and you would never know.

Thank you Greenelephant and maslinpan. I'm going to cook a bulk load tomorrow and freeze.

I use pre cooked green lentils from Aldi. They're with the rice etc in an orange packet. Mixed with root veg. They're perfect in spag bol and chilli, just chuck them in when you're Browning the mince.

I use green lentils. I just rinse them with the newly boiled kettle (as I do rice) once cooked. If you add bisto to them they make a fantastic alternative to mince imo.

Red lentils don't really change the flavour of Bolognese, but they do break down and change the texture (depending how much you put in obvs); they make it more 'mushy', for want of a better word. Green/puy lentils hold their shape better, and have a more meat-like texture.

Thanks for all the advice! I'll give puy lentils a try. Can you get them tinned or am I being too lazy?

I did a ' bolognese ' tonight with 200g of green lentils. I didnt soak them but put them in with the sauce onion, carrot, rosemary, garlic and then added the tomatoes, puree and red wine.
It was rather nice!!!

Can you get them tinned or am I being too lazy?
You can get them tinned but a packet will last much longer and nit much difference in price. Probably easier because you dont even have to open a can!!🤣

My DH and both kids don’t like lentils, red or green or put, i’ve Tried them all, in spag Bol. They notice immediately and complain.

What a shame that the people who don’t cook get to dictate what you eat.

My DH and both kids don’t like lentils, red or green or put, i’ve Tried them all, in spag Bol. They notice immediately and complain

What a shame that the people who don’t cook get to dictate what you eat.
That sounds a bit daft! Not everyone likes everything so why would you cook something if you know they don't like it.

I don't like eggplant so Dp doesn't make mousaka or other eggplanr based meals for me.
DS doesn't like mushrooms so I dont make a mushroom and brie tart for him. It's hardly dictating what meals we are eating because DP still has mousaka and I still have mushroom and brie tart. Its respecting everyone's likes and dislikes.

If my DH doesn’t like something I do like, I cook it anyway and I’d expect him to make himself something he does like. I’m not going to avoid eating something because someone else doesn’t like it.

I am assuming the poster in this case does like lentils, though (otherwise why cook them at all if no-one in the house likes them).