Easy Vegan Lentil Ragu with Spaghetti Squash

NOTE: This video is one of several that were originally created with the intent to release it on a different channel dedicated to the topic of cooking, preserving, gardening and the like. Ultimately, the reality set in that we didn't have the bandwidth to launch that second channel so we've decided to share those "Real Food With Renee" episodes with you here on He Said She Shed.
If you're interested in more backstory on the channel that almost was, we discussed this in our recent video here:
• Is cooking considered ...
I hope you enjoy making this yummy Lentil Ragu with me!
Even though this recipe is vegan and gluten-free - it is probably one of the most delicious and satisfying meals you can make! Toward the end of the video, I'll cover some variations you might consider but you never can tell -- this recipe might be the gateway drug to tryout our more vegan options.
This recipe was inspired by...
Sam Turnbull: It doesn't taste like chicken "The Best Ever Lentil Ragu" itdoesnttastel...

[@freedomjam3670]

I made this for dinner tonight. I’m Italian and grew up with a lot of pasta and sauce. Trying to reduce carbs. This is a winner. Delicious! Thank you 😊

[@lauragrandgenett]

Glad you’re back! Going to try this with basmati rice. Thanks!

[@jennieswardh1066]

I have this cooking as we speak. Just waiting for the squash lol. It’s so good and I can’t wait to eat it all lol. I was surprised that I found both liquid smoke and spaghetti squash here in Sweden 😊 Thank you for sharing this recipe and have a wonderful Sunday ❤

[@suzannkuhns777]

Thank you I was totally looking for something new and fun with spaghetti squash.

[@jamieford4594]

Renee, I’m so happy to see your channel growing. Congratulations!

[@charlottecarelse870]

I made the red lentils with naan or roti , sometimes a potato curry with red lentils and coriander leaves, delicious 😋

[@lbelsick2689]

Looks yummy

[@manonvanleijen4605]

This video was a facebook suggestion And i was thinking this is a familiar face! It’s Josh’s mom Renee and fellow Dutch woman Have seen you often in Becky’s video’s butter never knew you had your own channel. Of course subscribed

[@elizabethcabrera5718]

Thank you for this Renee 😊I will be making it with the spaghetti squash I love it too . I am so happy to see the ones you grew 👏🏻😍 I will try to grow some this next year .

[@johnreginahenderson7032]

Enjoyed the video! Can’t wait to try it! 😊Regina

[@WildKraftyAotearoa]

🌺🌺🌺Oh my worddddddd. That looks soooo delish.!!!!!! Yum! I haven't seen spaghetti squash in my country (only heard of i) so I thought you had pasta spaghetti in the intro hehehe. I was going to ask if it was sweet. 🌺🌺🌺Loved the video. I hope you figure out a safe way to can it.

[@LesleyPaquin]

Can't wait to try this receipe really enjoy your creativeness with receipes

[@cindyking3304]

Yummy!!! That looks so so delicious!!! Thank you for sharing a PlantBased recipe!!

[@hesaid-sheshed]

You are so welcome!❤

[@ButrScochMonks]

as with rice, it’s recommended to rinse dried beans before cooking! not a big deal if you don’t though :) the recipe looks yummy and I love your presentation

[@hesaid-sheshed]

Yes, always rinse. I find an occasional stone in my dried beans so I don’t want to take any chances on that either!

[@cindy_k]

That looks really fantastic! What a good way to use up your Garden products.

[@janwhite6212]

Will you be posting any videos on how to can some of our recipes? I am a beginner and I love your detailed instructions. Thank you.

[@hesaid-sheshed]

The next time I can, I will do a video. I have been enjoying all of things I have canned in the past. So nice to have convenience foods in my pantry. I think my favorite thing to can has been chicken. There are lots of videos about doing the raw pack method. It’s a great way as a beginner to get comfortable pressure canning low acid foods.

[@cherylcranford8908]

Hi Renee nice seeing you again. This looks so yummy

[@rhondagillespie6031]

Looks delicious! I love any type of legumes and squash. We like going meatless occasionally.

[@charlottecarelse870]

Hi 👋 from South Africa 🇿🇦 love lentil everything and I'm a meat eater, Renee ❤

[@cbordes1]

Just found your channel. Looks delish. I’ll definitely try this. ❤

[@LurkerSmurf]

Whatever your Kroger brand is should have red lentils. You could also try a Middle Eastern or Indian market. Azure carries them too. They cook in about 10 minutes and I'm addicted. This version looks great!

[@bonnieboernemann4432]

So excited to see your video pop up 😊

[@debbiemarks6086]

This looks so easy and delicious

[@HappyHooligans]

I have everything except the lentils on hand so I think I will try this one this week. I would serve it over regular pasta for my family. I am growing spaghetti squash for the first time so if those actually make it to harvest, I'd try it. I'm in Florida so it's a race to see if they are ready before we get our first frost (usually in December.)

[@reneevation5011]

I just harvested my spaghetti squash yesterday. It’s been getting colder and colder here. Our first frost is in early November, but it was in the upper 60s and sunny yesterday. Perfect fall day to start putting my garden to bed.

[@homesteadalaska]

Looks great! I'm always afraid of lentils because they never turn out very well for me, but this one I might try! Would love to know your recipe for your cherry tomato sauce. I always end up with so many of them and never know what to do with them!

[@hesaid-sheshed]

I just used the basic tomato sauce recipe but skipped removing skins. Way too tedious with cherry tomatoes and I don’t find the skins to be bitter. Just used my immersion blender to make it smooth. I just canned a batch of green tomato salsa verde today with my green clementine cherries. It is sooooo good!

[@cathypeterson5106]

That looks amazing. I'm not a vegan either but I love vegan recipes Did you know you can make "banana peel meatballs" 😊

[@hesaid-sheshed]

I have not. I’ve seen banana peel bacon before, but have never tried it. Maybe I should give it a go?

[@felicitashilmer1368]

I will definitely make this! Trying to eat 30 plants a week. Nom Nom Paleo has a great recipe for Instantpot Spaghetti Squash. :) It is quick and easy.

[@hesaid-sheshed]

30 a week! That is a great goal! ❤

[@caroleyoung9128]

can't wait to make this dish! I didn't care for spaghetti squash or lentils previously but I would like to include these items in my diet. I like the way you roasted the squash which maybe developed a better flavor, also I order red lentils thought I would like them better. Bring more recipes!

[@Val1950MAgirl]

It actually looks yummy!

[@CCGG-w3b]

Can I substitute liquid smoke with smoked paprika? I never use liquid smoke and don’t intend to buy a bottle just for this recipe.

[@hesaid-sheshed]

I love smoked paprika but not sure how much you would need to add to have the same impact since liquid smoke is pretty concentrated. You could probably add some barbecue sauce and get a similar effect I think. If you use smoked paprika, let me know how that works.

[@CCGG-w3b]

@@hesaid-sheshed will try and let you know. Thank you

[@amandagrebba5970]

Hi Renee, What is that you were cooking on?... I was looking in the description, but couldn't find it.

[@hesaid-sheshed]

It’s actually just an electric cooktop. We use it for camping, so I borrowed it so that I could film. It would be hard to show things on my stove because of the microwave above it. I think we just got it at our local bi Mart.

[@murlthomas2243]

I think the only kind of squash I don’t care for is spaghetti squash. When I went plant based, it was one of the first things I tried. I think I’ll probably sub cauliflower rice. You might try to source red lentils at a Natural Grocers or Mexican or Asian grocery stores.

[@hesaid-sheshed]

Butternut squash would be nice too. My DIL Becky ordered some red lentils for me from Azure, so I need to make this again soon. ❤

[@MaryDavidson911]

Fantastic! I’m vegan! I went vegan (plant based) for health. Thx!

[@hesaid-sheshed]

Check out Sam’s website. Lots of great ideas and she is so fun!

[@MaryDavidson911]

Renee… watch the health documentary “forks over knives”.

[@barbaraanderson4175]

Red lentils taste different than brown lentils.

[@reneevation5011]

I’d still like to make it with the red lentils, if I can find them. I may have to just order some from Amazon.

[@barbaraanderson4175]

@@reneevation5011 aren’t you Becky’s Mother in law and Josh’s mom?

[@rosaliecahoon425]

I add lentils to most of my homemade soups. The tiny orange ones are great to thicken soups. They cook quickly and hubby has no idea they’re in there. Bonus

[@hesaid-sheshed]

@@barbaraanderson4175yep! ❤

[@hesaid-sheshed]

@@rosaliecahoon425I sneak in zucchini where I can too! I definitely need to buy some red lentils. I’m hearing more and more that they are preferred over green or brown.