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Puy Lentil Recipe Healthy Pasta Sauce

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Perfect for “Meatless Monday’s” this Puy Lentil Recipe Healthy Pasta Sauce is a great alternative to meat-based sauces. Nutritious, gluten-free and budget friendly too. This sauce is also tomato free!

French Puy lentils, onions, peppers, and goat cheese combine to make a flavourful pasta sauce. For this healthy lentil recipe, I used spaghetti squash for a low carb dinner.

Overhead shot of Puy Lentil Recipe Healthy Pasta Sauce on a plate of spaghetti squash. 

Have you cooked with green lentils? Last year my Green Lentil Mini Cream Cheese Balls were the hit of the holiday parties. Appetizers can be healthy!

Lentils are so easy to prepare. Healthy lentil recipes are perfect for helping you in the “weight loss” department. Chock full of nutrition, fiber and a great protein alternative to meat that works for gluten-free and vegan diets too.

Ingredients for the Puy Lentil Recipe.

We enjoy meat dishes, but also know that we should “limit” our meat intake. Lentils are the perfect meat substitute. They can be used in a variety of recipes. Soups, sauces, even in baking. Readily available and easy on the budget, healthy, nutritious lentils are a win all the way around.

Close up of the Puy lentil pasta sauce cooking.

Puy Lentil Recipe Ingredients

Old school French lentils combine basic ingredients that produce wonderful, nutritious meals. This green lentil recipe is no different. You will need a few simple ingredients:

  • Puy lentils
  • onion
  • peppers
  • vegetable broth
  • goat cheese
  • fresh herbs (for garnish)

Have you ever wondered how to pronounce “Puy” lentils? These cute little French lentils keep their shape after cooking, and David Lebovitz refers to them as “cheap caviar”. They have a peppery taste, can be eaten hot or cold, a great addition to soups, sauces, and salads. These little gems are grown in France and also know as Le Puy lentils.

Spaghetti squash cooked ready to be topped with the Puy lentil pasta sauce

Cooking Puy Lentils

Similar to cooking rice, this easy to prepare recipe for Puy lentil pasta sauce is perfect for busy weeknights. Everything is done in one pot (except the pasta), or in this case the spaghetti squash.

Dice your onions and peppers. Saute for 5-7 minutes. Add lentils and broth. Cook for about 30 minutes.

Add in the goat cheese and stir to combine. This hearty, fiber-packed sauce is ready for your favourite pasta (great on rice and potaotes too). Garnish with fresh herbs (like thyme). 

Puy Lentil Pasta Sauce on top of spaghetti squash in a casserole dish.

Puy Lentil Substitutes

If you cannot find Puy lentils, you can substitute green lentils. Another GREAT alternative is black beluga lentils! This type of lentil is another variety that holds it’s shape and has a nice meaty texture to it.

I have used these in my Spicy Beluga Pasta Sauce and Poached Eggs and Lentil Hash. Two additional great “meatless recipes”.

You can also use brown or red lentils. Both of these varieties produce a “mushy” sort of texture. The red lentils were the perfect variety for my Red Lentil Meatless Mock Tourtiere. A GREAT healthy alternative to the French Canadian classic dish.

Puy Lentil Healthy Pasta Sauce on a plate of spaghetti squash ready to eat.

If you are looking for a budget-friendly meal that is healthy and nutritious, try this Puy Lentil Recipe. I guarantee even the meat lovers will not miss the meat in this delicious healthy pasta sauce.

What is YOUR favourite lentil recipe? I would love to hear from you. Let me know how you like my healthy Puy lentil pasta sauce.

Close up of Puy Lentil Recipe on a fork full of spaghetti squash.

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Overhead shot of Puy Lentil Recipe Healthy Pasta Sauce on a plate of spaghetti squash.

Puy Lentil Recipe Healthy Pasta Sauce

Course: Main Course, Main Dish
Cuisine: Canadian
Keyword: French lentils, Puy lentils
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 349 kcal
Author: Homemade & Yummy

This Puy Lentil Recipe is the perfect "meatless" pasta sauce. Packed with nutrition, gluten-free, vegan and budget-friendly. Meat lovers will not miss the meat at all in this hearty, delicious sauce. This sauce is also tomato free!!

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Ingredients

For the Puy Lentil Sauce:

  • 1 cup Puy lentils (rinsed)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 5 ounces onion (diced)
  • 7 ounces red pepper (diced)
  • 1/4 tsp dried thyme
  • 2 cups vegetable broth
  • 5 ounces goat cheese (I used herb flavoured)
  • salt & pepper (to taste)
  • fresh thyme (for garnish)
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  1. Heat the oil in a large heavy bottomed skillet over medium-high heat.

  2. Add the onions and cook for 5-7 minutes.

  3. Add the peppers and cook for an additional 3 minutes.

  4. Add the seasonings, broth, and lentils.

  5. Bring to boil, reduce to medium and cook until done (about 30 minutes). Mix several times during the cooking process.

  6. When done, add the goat cheese. Mix to combine the cheese in the sauce.

  7. Remove from heat.

  8. Spoon over your choice of pasta.

  9. Garnish with fresh herbs.

  10. ENJOY!

Recipe Notes

You can serve this over pasta, rice or even potatoes.

Nutrition Facts
Puy Lentil Recipe Healthy Pasta Sauce
Amount Per Serving
Calories 349 Calories from Fat 135
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 15g 23%
Saturated Fat 6g 30%
Cholesterol 16mg 5%
Sodium 606mg 25%
Potassium 595mg 17%
Total Carbohydrates 34g 11%
Dietary Fiber 15g 60%
Sugars 5g
Protein 19g 38%
Vitamin A 43.7%
Vitamin C 82.4%
Calcium 8.6%
Iron 24.6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

 

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Creative combo of two of my favorites. Always looking for more ways to use spaghetti squash and this looks delish. plus I love the meatless protein option with the lentils. Putting it on the rotation next week. THanks.

    Reply

  2. This looks fantastic. So healthy and hearty. My guy thinks it’s not a meal without meat, but I don’t think he would even miss the meat with this hearyt recipe! Perfect for meatless Mondays.

    Reply

  4. I LOVE Le Puy lentils! They’re my favorite of all lentil varieties and I keep them in constant supply in my pantry. How delicious they must be as a pasta sauce, especially paired with spaghetti squash and herbed goat cheese. This will be going in our dinner rotation very soon!

    Reply

  8. I adore lentils – always have several different jars in the cupboard. I usually braise Puy and often serve with sausages, but it is an inspired idea making a sauce with them. All the yum.

    Reply

  15. We are going to the grocery store this morning and I will be buying the goat cheese. When I saw this recipe the other day I knew I had to make it so I bought the lentils. We ate the rest of the goat cheese yesterday so I have to buy some more ASAP so I can make the lentil sauce. I never thought of using lentils for a sauce. What a great idea.

    Reply

  16. My kids lentils, so we have been adding them to everything lately. They are so easy to prepare, it always makes for such an easy meal. LOVE the goat’s cheese in here, what a great way to get a tangy yet earthy flavor pairing with the lentils. Yum.

    Reply

  17. I’ve cooked with green lentils before, but never in a sauce like this one. This looks seriously awesome… I love the addition of the goat cheese and the fact that you used it on spaghetti squash!

    Reply

  18. What a delicious looking naturally gluten free dish! We love spaghetti squash and a lentil sauce is the perfect way to get protein and save money. I can’t wait to give this one a try.

    Reply

  19. I have spaghetti squash AND French lentils! How perfect! This looks delicious- I’m always looking for things to pair with spaghetti squash- I think it needs something meaty like this. Yum!

    Reply

  20. All you had to say is goat cheese — and I couldn’t turn down a sauce that tastes loaded with meat. After reading this the first time I went to the grocery store and by golly they had the lentils. So, this week I’m making this recipe.

    Reply

  21. That is such an interesting and delicious combination of ingredients. I would have never thought of cooking lentils in spaghetti squash. This is such a hearty and healthy dish perfect to serve for the whole family.

    Reply

  23. If there’s goat cheese in it, I’ll gladly eat it! We try to have a meatless day or two and lentils have been my go-to for those days. They are so nutritious and easy to make plus they’re hearty enough that my partner doesn’t even notice there isn’t meat haha! Such a great recipe!

    Reply

  24. I’ve been into lentils ever since I had black dal a while back. And this puy lentil sounds delicious and perfect for Meatless Monday. Definitely will give this a try!

    Reply

  27. I especially love spaghetti squash in the fall, and that creamy goat cheese addition looks perfect. I can’t wait to give this a try. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  28. I’m always looking for more ways to use spaghetti squash. Adding these scrumptious lentils to the mix just seems perfect. I’ve never had lentils prepared this way, but it sounds super yummy! Can’t wait to try it!

    Reply

  29. I love cooking with lentils and actually have a packet of green lentils in the larder waiting to be used! This recipe sounds perfect for them. Here in Italy, lentils are traditionally cooked at New Year and signify prosperity!

    Reply

  30. This looks like the perfect weeknight dinner! I haven’t cooked much with green lentils, but I really like red so I’m guessing this is super yummy. Love using lentils for meatless dinners, thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  31. My children do not like tomato sauce, but I adore it. I definitely want to try your recipe. An interesting mix of ingredients. Sounds really tasty. This is really a great job. Thanks for the recipe

    Reply

  33. Cheap caviar I am SO in. Every time I see a recipe like this I’m reminded that I do NOT cook with lentils enough!! And I don’t think I’ve ever had puy lentils!

    Reply

  36. I can only imagine how flavorful the combination of lentils, onions, goat cheese and peppers is! And that goat cheese… something new for me, that’s for sure! Definitely need to try it instead of my traditional sauces!

    Reply

  38. What a unique combination! Never in a million years would I think to combine lentils with cheese. I’m going to share this with my parents as a side for their vegetarian Thanksgiving meal

    Reply

  39. These look fantastic Gloria! I haven’t had spaghetti sauce yet this season, but this is definitely something I want to make as soon as I bring some home. I have puy lentils too!

    Reply

  41. I was focusing so much on that yummy lentil sauce I didn’t realize you were using spaghetti squash too.What a deliciously healthy meal! I could eat the lentil s as is.

    Reply

  43. I am a lentils fan today we had lentils soup with chorizo. Never have heard of Puy lentils just knew them as French green lentils, I love them because they keep their shape. Your dish looks so tasty perfect for a vegetarian option. Another to try this fall!

    Reply

  45. My parents are always looking for new vegetarian recipes, and they love lentils. I’ll definitely be sharing this one with them. Thank you!

    Reply

  46. This looks so delicious! We always have a bag of lentils for when we want a meatless but hearty meal. They’re not puy lentils so I’m glad to see we can use them in this recipe too.

    Reply

  47. Oh, these sounds do good Gloria. I usually make my Puy lentils with tomato sauce but this sounds even better. I must try this. I do get fed up of too much tomato sauce so this would be perfect. Puy lentils are so delicious.

    Reply

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