Perfect for “Meatless Monday” this Puy Lentil Sauce is a great alternative to meat-based sauces. Nutritious, gluten-free, and budget-friendly. A delicious and easy lentil pasta sauce with no tomatoes.
French green 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. You may also like to try this spicy beluga lentil pasta sauce too.
RECIPE and INSTRUCTIONS for this quick lentil sauce can be found at the bottom of this post.
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.
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.
Some of our favourite lentil recipes are:
- Marinated Lentils – great for adding to soups and salads.
- Poached Eggs and Lentils – a hearty protein-packed meal for brunch, lunch, and dinner too.
- Vegetarian Burrito – a great alternative to the classic meat-filled burrito.
- Meatless Tourtiere – the traditional French Canadian classic takes on a healthy twist.
- Mushroom Pate – perfect for a plant-based pate that is great on crackers or spread on sandwiches.
- Mini Cream Cheese Balls – are the hit on the holiday appetizer menu.
- Lentil Loaf – a great meatless meatloaf for dinner any night of the week.
Puy Lentil Sauce Ingredients
Old-school French lentils combine basic ingredients that produce wonderful, nutritious meals. This green lentil recipe is no different.
- Puy lentils
- onion
- peppers
- vegetable broth
- goat cheese
- fresh herbs (for garnish)
Making Green Lentil Pasta Sauce Is Easy
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. Full instructions can be found in the recipe card below.
- Dice the peppers and onions.
- Saute the onions for 5-7 minutes in a skillet.
- Add the peppers and cook for about 3 minutes.
- Add the broth, seasonings, and lentils, and simmer for about 30 minutes.
- Add the goat cheese, mix to combine, and heat for a minute or two.
- Remove and spoon over pasta, rice, or vegetables like spaghetti squash.
Recipe Substitutions/Tips
Lentils – You can use green, brown, or black lentils. Red lentils will not work well for this recipe.
Broth – Vegetable, chicken, or beef, all will work great.
Cheese – I love the flavour and consistency of goat cheese. Feel free to add whatever kind of cheese suits your taste buds.
Fresh Herbs – Are always a great garnish. Basil, thyme, and oregano are perfect here.
Serving – This creamy lentil sauce is perfect for pasta, rice, and low-carb veggies like spaghetti squash and zucchini noodles. It also makes a great lentil side dish.
Storage – Keep in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 5 days. For longer storage, place it in the freezer. This is a great recipe for batch cooking.
What Are Puy Lentils Anyway?
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 are also known as Le Puy lentils, lentilles du Puy.
If your bag of green lentils does not state Puy, they are not from France, but likely North America or Italy.
Looking for a few more pasta recipes? Give these a try:
Puy Lentil Pasta Sauce
Ingredients
For the Puy Lentil Sauce:
- 1 cup Puy lentils (rinsed)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 5 ounces onion (diced)
- 7 ounces red pepper (diced)
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 5 ounces goat cheese (I used herb flavoured)
- salt & pepper (to taste)
- fresh thyme (for garnish)
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large heavy bottomed skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the onions and cook for 5-7 minutes.
- Add the peppers and cook for an additional 3 minutes.
- Add the seasonings, broth, and lentils.
- Bring to boil, reduce to medium and cook until done (about 30 minutes). Mix several times during the cooking process.
- When done, add the goat cheese. Mix to combine the cheese in the sauce.
- Remove from heat.
- Spoon over your choice of pasta.
- Garnish with fresh herbs.
Elizabeth
Such a great option – lentils are my fave! Thanks for sharing!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
Lentils are so nutritious, and easy to use in recipe like this pasta sauce.
Noel Lizotte
I love lentils … such a great protein source. Can’t wait to try this recipe!
Homemade & Yummy
ENJOY…I eat this by the spoonful.
Natalie
This recipe sounds so interesting and so healthy. I never tried anything like this before. But now I must because it looks really delicious. I bet my boys would like this too. I’m saving this recipe. Def going to try it.
Homemade & Yummy
This is such a great alternative to a meat sauce. I can eat this by the spoonful, and the goat cheese works well here.
Andrea
I love puy lentils, they have so much flavour and perfect for soups, never thought of making a cheesy version, great idea! Also, I agree with you, beluga lentils are a great alternative too!
Homemade & Yummy
Hope you give this delicious recipe a try…thanks for stopping by.
Sam | Ahead of Thyme
Yum, this lentil sauce looks amazing! I have never thought to use lentils in spaghetti but the flavour combo in this recipe sounds amazing! Pinning to try soon.
Homemade & Yummy
This is such a great meat alternative, and works well in pasta sauces.
Eileen Kelly
Lentils are also my go-to vegetarian fix for dinner or lunch! The health benefits of lentils is incredible. I love how easy and versatile this puy lentil dish is to prepare. Adding the herbed goat cheese gives a great flavor addition too! A fantastic meal!
Homemade & Yummy
The goat cheese works so well in this recipe….we love it. I can eat it by the spoonful.
Anne Murphy
I do love lentils – but never used them as a sauce with pasta. Intriguing! I have to keep an eye out for puy lentils – I realize I have not seen them since I moved… Regular brown or green lentils are good, but the texture really does make a difference!
Homemade & Yummy
Puy lentil hold their shape really well, and are such a budget-friendly meat alternative.
Jessica (Swanky Recipes)
My best friend got me hooked on lentils but I never heard of puy lentils. I’m going to have look at the store next time I’m out. I love to make meatless meals whenever possible and this lentil recipe sounds like it has so much flavor!
Homemade & Yummy
They can be a little harder to find, but so worth the effort. Green lentils would work as well.
Kitty
I love lentils already but the addition of goat cheese is making my mouth water! Sounds very savory and perfect for fall.
Homemade & Yummy
This is a nice savoury dish, perfect for any time of year when you want an alternative to meat.
Lauren
I don’t know why I don’t cook with lentils more often, I always like them when I see delicious recipes like this!! Love that this has butternut squash in it too for a low carb but hearty dish!
Homemade & Yummy
Lentils are easy to cook, nutritious and totally delicious. The perfect meat alternative, and budget-friendly too.
Michele
These lentils really sound delicious! Lentils are a favorite in our house and I think my family would love this dish. Looks so good with the spaghetti squash. I love that you added goat cheese. Lovely flavor combos!
Homemade & Yummy
The goat cheese works so well in this recipe. Hope you give it a try soon.
Shelley
“Cheap caviar” – love that! Also absolutely loving so much about this recipe! I mean … goat cheese … you had me right there. Plus loads of wonderful nutrition from the lentils and all the veggies. Genius to serve it over spaghetti squash, too – as much as I adore pasta, I also really like to change things up and swap spaghetti squash instead. So good, so healthy! Can’t wait to make this one – thank you so much for all the great tips to make sure it turns out perfectly! Really enjoyed this post!
Homemade & Yummy
THANKS so much. Glad you enjoyed the post and found it helpful. Hope you enjoy the recipe as much as we do.
Courtney Lopez
Lentils are a staple in our house – love them for meatless Mondays. We love all of the flavors of this dish. Definitely, one to add to the meal plan.
Homemade & Yummy
Lentils are delicious, nutritious and a budget-friendly meat substitute as well. Hope you give this recipe a try.
Debra
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.
Homemade & Yummy
ENJOY!! This dish is hearty, nutritious and totally delicious.
Jenni LeBaron
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.
Homemade & Yummy
Meat lovers will not miss the meat….I promise!!