Easy to make comfort food which is secretly nutritious.

Autumn is truly here!

Come on. Tell me. Have you succumbed and put your heating on yet?! I always try to wait until November, stretching out the last of the warmth… or braving out the start of the cold! However, since the weekend, I have been convinced there is an open window I’ve missed! The jumpers have come out, the thick socks too… I’m yet to wear my bobble hat though as it still seems warm outside? So, of course, the salad has been taking a back seat – a bit, and the cooker has been conjuring up all sorts of delicious warming foods.

Veg box delivery

You would imagine as a predominantly plant based kitchen, that I would have a plentiful supply of veg! However, having had extended visits from house guests recently and also buying for several birthdays, shopping has been focused around other needs! Have you ever been shopping, with or without a list, then come back with everything except what you went for? Well, enter me! I am not sure yet whether a handheld scanner as you go around the shop is a good thing or a bad thing… I just know that when my trolley is less than half full but the scanner is already at £70, that’s enough!

So, enter the veg box delivery! Please refrain from asking for suggestions as I am still struggling to find the perfect delivery company for this! However, I have for the last few weeks been trialling a new-to-the-area scheme. Now the house is full of veg, because of course I need the biggest box, allegedly for 3-4 people for a week! Thankfully, although there is a weekly allocation, you can edit things out and swap them – read, getting the most for my money! I have had great fun this week playing with this new comfort food recipe for you!

Bolognese comfort food — Have you tried spaghetti squash?

The Protein Bolognese Recipe

If you search for Bolognese on here, you will find a few recipes already. There is a traditional style Bolognese made with soya mince, a lentil style Bolognese, even a lentil & mushroom Bolognese, so of course, I needed something different! This recipe is the ultimate in comfort food, packed with veg and protein, making it as nutritious as it is delicious! I have still tried to keep the ingredients simple, but there are a few things you may need to add to your shopping list. The bulk of the Bolognese, is made from a mix of onions, courgettes, aubergines, carrots and peppers. The protein comes from green lentils and tiny chunks of tofu. The sauce is of course tomato based, with garlic, black pepper, Italian herbs and extra oregano. I served mine with a delicious spaghetti squash – try and find one just to see how it works!

Protein Bolognese

Traditional Bolognese flavours, packed with veg and extra protein.

Course: Main Course

Keyword: Bolognese, comfort food, easy vegan, lentils,, tofu,

Created by:: Laurena @LifeDietHealth

Gather

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion finely chopped
2 aubergines diced
1 large courgette diced
1 red pepper chopped
2 carrots grated
2 tbsp tomato puree
150 –200 ml boiling water as needed
½ teaspoon black pepper to taste
½ teaspoon garlic granules
1 teaspoon Italian herb mix
½ teaspoon dried oregano
2 tablespoons nutritional yeast (optional but well worth adding)
1 x 400g tin green lentils drained and rinsed
1 block plain firm tofu diced
Salt to taste

Prepare

Heat the olive oil in a large wok-style frying pan over medium heat.
Sauté the chopped onion until lightly browned and fragrant.
Add the diced aubergine and cook for about 5 minutes, until starting to soften.
Next, stir in the courgette and continue cooking for another 3–4 minutes.
Throw in the red pepper and grated carrots, stir to combine and cook for a few more minutes.
Stir in the tomato puree, then pour in enough boiling water to almost, but not quite, cover the vegetables.
Season with black pepper, garlic granules, Italian herb mix, and oregano. Add the nutritional yeast if using. Mix everything thoroughly.
Reduce the heat, cover and let the mixture simmer gently for around 10 minutes to blend the flavours.
Tip in the green lentils and stir well to distribute.
Scatter the diced tofu over the mixture, cover the pan again, and simmer for another 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Keep an eye on the water level and adjust (add more) if needed.
Taste test and add salt if required or add additional spices.
Serve & Enjoy!

Nutrition

This Protein Bolognese is full of plant-based goodness from tofu and green lentils, both excellent sources of protein that help keep you satisfied and energised. Together they provide a balanced mix of amino acids, making this an ideal choice for anyone wanting to boost their plant-based protein intake. The colourful vegetables bring texture, flavour and a wide range of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium and iron. This is a great comfort food recipe for fuelling busy days, supporting recovery after exercise and bringing a deliciously wholesome meal to the table that helps you feel nourished and re-energised.

What do I need?

To create this recipe, hopefully if you cook from scratch regularly, you should have everything you need. However, if you’re new to cooking, or want to update some of your equipment, here are a few items you might like. These links will take you straight to Amazon where you can then search as usual for anything you need. If you follow these links, Amazon might pay us a small commission, which goes towards paying the website hosting fees. We’d be very grateful if you do, thank you! Have a look at these: chopping boards, kitchen knives, wok style pans, vegetable graters, cooking utensils, and other items which you might need, like these. Much appreciated!

Serving

Serve your Protein Bolognese with spaghetti, pasta, a baked potato, garlic bread, fresh green vegetables, a side salad or, as I have, more veg in the form of spaghetti squash.

Storing

The cooked Bolognese will keep in a sealed container in the fridge for three days. You can also freeze this once cooked (remember to label & date) for up to a month.

Sharing

Are you sharing your Bolognese? Or are you keeping it all for yourself? Whichever you do, I’d love for you to share the recipe with others, spreading the plant based love and nutritious food! Thank you.

As always, I love hearing about any recipes of mine you try, any ideas you adapt or suggestions you have for future recipes. Please share and tag me @LifeDietHealth or using #LifeDietHealth on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook or X.

Leave me a comment below… I love to chat!

I hope to speak with you soon

Laurena x