Pasta e Lenticchie

Name: Pasta e Lenticchie
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Ultimate Pasta
Ingredients: 200 g small pasta; 300 g lentils; 1 onion; 1 carrot; 1 tbsp tomato paste; 1.2 L water; to taste fine sea salt

25 minutes prep 35 minutes cook Serves 4

Pasta e Lenticchie hails from the heart of Italian winter cooking, where the comforting embrace of a warm pot becomes a staple during the colder months. As the temperature drops, households reach for this dish, letting lentils and a simple broth simmer until they become rich and inviting, ready to welcome small pasta into their depths.

The taste is a harmonious blend of earthy lentils and subtly sweet onions, elevated with a touch of tomato paste that deepens the broth's color and complexity. Each spoonful offers a satisfying, hearty experience, where the pasta absorbs the flavors, creating a dish that is both nourishing and deeply satisfying.

Ingredients

200 gsmall pasta
300 glentils
1onion
1carrot
1 tbsptomato paste
1.2 Lwater
to tastefine sea salt

Method

Begin by finely chopping 1 onion and 1 carrot. In a large pot, heat a generous drizzle of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and carrot, stirring occasionally until the onion becomes translucent and the carrot softens slightly, about 5 to 7 minutes. This step builds the aromatic base for the dish.
Stir in 1 tablespoon of tomato paste, mixing well with the softened vegetables. Cook for another 2 minutes, allowing the tomato paste to caramelize slightly, enhancing its sweetness and depth of flavor.
Add 300 g of lentils to the pot, stirring to coat them with the aromatic mixture. Pour in 1.2 L of water, ensuring the lentils are fully submerged. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low. Let it simmer until the lentils are tender and the broth has a rich, earthy taste, approximately 25 to 30 minutes. Season with fine sea salt to taste, adjusting as needed.
Once the lentils are cooked, add 200 g of small pasta to the pot. Stir well to combine. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is just tender but still holds its shape, about 8 to 10 minutes. If the mixture becomes too thick, add a little more water to achieve a soup-like consistency.
Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt if necessary. Finish the dish by drizzling a bit of olive oil over the top for added richness. Serve the Pasta e Lenticchie in warm bowls, enjoying the comforting blend of flavors and textures.