Pasta e Lenticchie

Pasta e Lenticchie

by Rosie Mackean

Pasta e Lenticchie is one of the most delicious soups in the Italian hearty soup canon. This recipe was created by chef, food stylist and recipe developer Rosie Mackean for our Whole Olive Green Lentils. We've been growing lentils in the UK since 2015 and they're now a tasty, versatile staple of our range of British-grown wholefoods.

We love making this soup with lentils but you can swap in dried and soaked beans or chickpeas or tinned pulses too. It is fabulously hands-off, you just let the lentils bubble away until tender before adding the pasta and you can chuck in any other vegetables you need to use up.

This recipe exemplifies Rosie's love for Italian cuisine (and her addiction to pasta), more of which can be found on her Instagram feed and in her popular Substack newsletter The Dinner Party.

Serves 4

Ingredients

  • 100g Guanciale or Pancetta, diced (optional)
  • 2 tbsps Olive Oil
  • 1 Onion, diced
  • 1 Carrot, diced
  • 2 Celery Sticks, diced
  • 2 Cloves of Garlic, sliced
  • 2 Bay Leaves
  • 125g Passata
  • 250g Dried Olive Green Lentils, rinsed
  • 350g Ditalini or Small Pasta
  • 1.5l Vegetable Stock
  • Chopped Parsley and Parmesan, to serve

Method

  1. If using the guanciale or pancetta, heat a large saucepan on a low heat and gently render down the meat until it is crisp and its fat has been released.
  2. Use this fat to sweat down your onion, garlic and celery on a medium heat, or use the olive oil if necessary.
  3. After the veg has been softening for about 10 minutes add in the garlic and fry for a minute before stirring in the lentils, bay, passata and stock.
  4. Bring to a simmer and cook gently covered for 20 minutes, until the lentils are just starting to get tender but holding their shape.
  5. Season well, add in the pasta and simmer for another 10 - 12 minutes or so until it is cooked. The lentils should be soft and giving by this point too.
  6. Serve with chopped parsley, grated parmesan if you wish and lovely chunky bread.



Rosie Mackean
Rosie Mackean

Author



Leave a comment

Comments will be approved before showing up.


Also in Recipes for Pulses, Grains, Seeds, Flakes, Flour, Ferments...

Barley & Lentil Mejadra
Barley & Lentil Mejadra

by Sarah Cotterell and Aitana Infante

Mejadra - or Mujaddara - is a simple but perfect store cupboard combination of lentils, rice or another grain, spices and crispy onions. You can find subtle variations across the Middle East but each is equally comforting and delicious. This version uses Hodmedod's Pilau Mix #2 in which the nutty emmer grains make a delicious British-grown substitute for the more usual rice, alongside our earthy olive green lentils.

Read More

Mushy Pea, Parsnip & Potato Cakes
Mushy Pea, Parsnip & Potato Cakes

by The Cook and Him

These pea, parsnip and potato cakes from The Cook and Him are great for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Marrowfat peas are best known as the traditional pea for making mushy peas though they're also fantastic in soups, dips and casseroles.

Read More

Chocolate, Tahini & Brazil Nut Granola Bars
Chocolate, Tahini & Brazil Nut Granola Bars

by Amy Oboussier

A splendid diversity of flakes, nuts and seeds goes into these easy granola bars, easily adding up to over 12 plant species depending on the mix you choose. This is a great recipe to make with our Granola Bundles.

Read More