Vegan Ground Beef with Tomato Sauce
Transform your favorite comfort food into a plant-based delight with this Vegan Ground Beef with Tomato Sauce recipe! Combining hearty lentils, bold spices like smoked paprika and chili powder, and the richness of balsamic vinegar and nutritional yeast, this dish delivers a savory, umami-packed flavor that satisfies every craving. Simmered with a robust tomato sauce and infused with aromatic garlic and onions, it’s the perfect meat-free alternative for pasta, rice bowls, or tacos. Ready in under an hour and packed with wholesome ingredients like fresh basil and lentils, this vegan twist on a classic is nutrient-dense, easy to make, and incredibly versatile. Whether you’re catering to a vegan diet or simply exploring new ways to enjoy plant-based cooking, this recipe is a must-try for hearty dinners or meal prepping.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup Lentils
- 3 cups Water
- 1 large Chopped onion
- 3 Garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Tomato paste
- 2 cups Chopped tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons Soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon Chili powder
- 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 tablespoon Balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons Nutritional yeast
- 0.25 cup Fresh basil, chopped
Instructions
Rinse the lentils under cold water. In a medium saucepan, combine the lentils with 3 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 25-30 minutes until the lentils are tender but not mushy. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, until the onion is translucent and fragrant.
Stir in the tomato paste and cook for another 2 minutes, allowing it to become rich in color and flavor.
Add the chopped tomatoes to the skillet along with the soy sauce, smoked paprika, ground cumin, chili powder, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine.
Reduce the heat to low and let the tomato sauce simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Once the sauce has thickened, add the cooked lentils to the skillet. Stir until the lentils are well-incorporated into the sauce.
Pour in the balsamic vinegar and sprinkle the nutritional yeast over the mixture. Stir continuously for 2-3 more minutes to ensure the flavors are evenly distributed.
Remove the skillet from heat and garnish with freshly chopped basil. Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary.
Serve the Vegan Ground Beef with Tomato Sauce over pasta, rice, or use as a filling for vegan tacos. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
871 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 42.5 g | 54% | |
| Saturated Fat | 6.3 g | 32% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 7.8 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 4056 mg | 176% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 94.6 g | 34% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 29.9 g | 107% | |
| Total Sugars | 29.8 g | ||
| Protein | 34.7 g | 69% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 442 mg | 34% | |
| Iron | 15.5 mg | 86% | |
| Potassium | 2913 mg | 62% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
