Best lentil ragu / spag bol type recipe

[Wacademic]

I’ve tried so many now and they are sweet without any of that great umami flavour. Any tried and tested recipes? (Looking for a recipe that’s just veggies and lentils as kids won’t eat veggie mince).

Hoping to find something as amazing as the Good Food burnt aubergine chilli - not sure it exists. Help much appreciated!!

Search saucy lentil gnocchi each on bbv good food. It’s insanely good and not too sweet at all. Better if the gnocchi is fried!

Consider something like this for adding umami. hodmedods.co.uk/products/fava-umami-paste

Watching!

Have you added a significant dollop of Marmite? That really helps

This one is great, follow the instructions to caramelise the tomato paste, it does make a difference https://rainbowplantlife.com/10-ingredient-vegan-red-lentil-bolognese/

I'd second bunging a bit of the hodmedod's fava bean paste in. It's excellent for this type of thing. Not so good as a sandwich spread....

Felicity Cloake has a recipe for vegan ragù and it’s really wonderful. It calls for crumbled tofu rather than lentils but the taste is from the sauce and if you prefer the texture of lentils rather than tofu I’m sure it would work. The flavour is so rich and deep, though I make on the hob because I find the oven method more of a faff.
https://www.theguardian.com/food/2023/jan/11/how-to-make-the-perfect-vegan-ragu-recipe-felicity-cloake

Coop website -lentil spaghetti is so good

@toastofthetown that recipe looks very long winded !

Wow these look epic, thank you all. So many great options here!! I didn’t think of gnocchi but that’s a great variation.

I’ll also take you up on the Hodmedod’s suggestion (not Marmite lovers but tbh I didn’t think of putting it into food instead of on toast 😆). Lots of umami tips in the Felicity Cloake recipe too.

Not quite what you’re after, but one od my favourites, and I add a teaspoon of marmite.

https://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/pasta/mushroom-lentil-pappardelle-bolognese/MUSHROOM & LENTIL PAPPARDELLE BOLOGNESE