Summery lentil and tomato bolognese

Serves: 4

We're always looking for new midweek supper ideas, and our brilliant food editor Lucy created this delicious bolognese dish. We'd never have thought of using lentils instead of mince but it works brilliantly and has a much more summery feel to it than traditional meat bolognese. Make it tonight and let us know what you think...

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 stick of celery, chopped
• 3 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 400g fresh cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 x 400g tin Puy or green lentils, drained
• 1 x 150g tub fresh red pesto
• 400g dried linguine
• 1 x 28g pack fresh basil, reserving a few leaves
• 4 heaped tbsp vegetarian hard cheese or Pecorino, finely grated

Method

1. Heat the oil in a large frying pan, add the onion and celery; cook gently for 6-8 minutes. Stir in the garlic; cook for 2 minutes.
2. Stir in the cherry tomatoes and 100ml water. Bring to the boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in the lentils and pesto. Simmer gently for a further 5 minutes; season.
3. Meanwhile, cook the pasta in a large pan of boiling salted water according to pack instructions.
4. Drain the pasta and add to the sauce, tear in the basil and toss together. To serve, scatter over the reserved basil leaves and finish with grated cheese.