Grab a jar of this Bolognese Meal Prep on your way out the door! Packed with healthy goodness, this meal prep will hit that comfort food craving without being too heavy!
Bolognese Meal Prep
Originally, I had wanted to title this post Mushroom Lentil Beef Bolognese Meal Prep buuuuuuut it seemed like a mouthful! But regardless of the name, this mason jar bolognese meal prep is packed with goodness! I used the blend and extend method with cutting down on the beef and replacing it with mushrooms and I also added lentils to the mix as they’re a great source of protein, iron, and fibre! I’ve been seriously craving comfort food lately and this bolognese hits the spot. All the comfort of a hearty bolognese but healthier!
Usually, I’d recommend that you finish off the dish by adding the pasta into the sauce and cooking it together but it was much easier for me to portion it out separately so I can make sure each jar of bolognese had the ratio of sauce to pasta I’d like and how my partner like his (I like mine much saucier). Plus when I pour it into a bowl to reheat it at work, it’s mixes together well. :)
What You’ll Need To Make This Healthy Bolognese Meal Prep
- olive oil
- onion
- dried oregano
- red chili flakes
- salt
- pepper
- garlic
- ground beef
- mushrooms
- tomato paste
- canned whole tomatoes
- brown lentils
- pasta
- pinenuts
- optional: freshly grated parmesan
How To Make This Easy Mason Jar Pasta Meal Prep
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet on medium-high heat and then add in the onions. Let the onions sweat it out for 2-3 minutes before adding in the oregano, red chili flakes, salt, and pepper.
- Give it a stir and let it cook for another minute before adding in your garlic.
- Next, add in the ground beef and let it brown, making sure to break up the meat with your wooden spoon for 8-9 minutes.
- Add in the mushrooms and continue to stir for another minute, making sure the mushroom is well incorporated with the beef.
- Stir in the tomato paste and then add in the canned whole tomatoes, breaking up the tomatoes in the skillet as you stir.
- Add in your brown lentils with a cup of water and bring the whole skillet to a boil before turning down the heat. Simmer for 15-20 minutes or until the lentils are cooked through, stirring occasionally. (You can use this time to bring salted water to a boil and cook your pasta)
- Once done, in a mason jar, layer in the bolognese, pine nuts, optional cheese, and pasta. Store for up to 5 days in the fridge.
Tips and Notes on Making This Bolognese Meal Prep
- I used orecchiette pasta because 1. they’re cute and 2. I like how they act like little bowls for the meat and sauce! You can use your pasta of choice if you don’t have orecchiette on hand.
- I used my food processor to quickly cut up my onion and to cut my mushroom finely so it blends in with the beef.
- If you are interested in a meat subscription so you’ll always have meat in your freezer, check out Butcherbox for hormone and antibiotic free meat delivered to your door! Use “AP10” for $10 off your first box! Shipping is free.
Bolognese Meal Prep
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped up
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 2 tsp red chili flakes
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 0.8 lbs ground beef
- 227 grams mushrooms, 2.5 cups chopped finely
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 800 mL canned whole tomatoes, 28 oz
- 1/2 cup brown lentils
- 1 cup water
- 2 cups cooked pasta, or more
- 4-5 tbsp pinenuts
- optional: freshly grated parmesan
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet on medium-high heat and then add in the onions. Let the onions sweat it out for 2-3 minutes before adding in the oregano, red chili flakes, salt, and pepper.
- Give it a stir and let it cook for another minute before adding in your garlic.
- Next, add in the ground beef and let it brown, making sure to break up the meat with your wooden spoon for 8-9 minutes.
- Add in the mushrooms and continue to stir for another minute, making sure the mushroom is well incorporated with the beef.
- Stir in the tomato paste and then add in the canned whole tomatoes, breaking up the tomatoes in the skillet as you stir.
- Add in your brown lentils with a cup of water and bring the whole skillet to a boil before turning down the heat. Simmer for 15-20 minutes or until the lentils are cooked through, stirring occasionally.
- Once done, in a mason jar, layer in the bolognese, pine nuts, optional cheese, and cooked pasta. Store for up to 5-6 days in the fridge.
Nutrition
RESOURCES AND TIPS FOR MEAL PREPPING
- How To Cook Chicken Breasts Perfectly
- What Is An Instant Pot
- Tips To Help You Meal Prep For The Week Successfully
- Tips for Meal Prepping on a Budget
- 7 Freezer Friendly Chicken Marinades
- 5 Freezer Friendly Marinades
MORE MEAL PREP RECIPES TO TRY
- Vietnamese Grill Chicken Meal Prep
- Chicken Pepperoni Pasta Salad
- Instant Pot Coconut Thai Curry Chicken
- Curry Shrimp Meal Prep
- Freezer Chicken Burritos
Other places to connect with me
Instagram: @carmyshungry
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carmyycom
Email: carmy@carmyy.com
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