Ground Beef Too Expensive? Try This Surprisingly Effective Substitute in Your Bolognese Sauce!
Steak and fries enthusiasts have certainly noticed it. Over the past year, beef prices have skyrocketed. According to data gathered from 5,500 grocery store pickup locations, consumer advocacy group UFC-Que Choisir estimates that beef prices jumped by 10% from November 2024 to November 2025. This inflation is largely due to demographic reasons, including a general decline in cattle herds across France, resulting in a shortage of supply and a spike in production costs. The situation has been exacerbated by the retirement of an entire generation of farmers—many without successors—and the increase in livestock diseases, such as the recent outbreak of lumpy skin disease.
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As a result, many shoppers are turning to more affordable alternatives to red meat. Eggs have become increasingly popular, yet they fall short in replicating the texture and flavor of ground beef in dishes like bolognese sauce. However, there’s another option that stands out: green lentils. Laurent Mariotte raves on Instagram about his veggie bolognese, proclaiming it astonishingly close to the real thing.
Simple Recipe for a Meat-Free Bolognese
The recipe is straightforward. Start by peeling and finely chopping 1 yellow onion, 2 carrots, 2 cloves of garlic, and 1 celery stalk. Soften these ingredients in a pot with a drizzle of olive oil. Then add 1 tablespoon of smoked paprika and 2 tablespoons of tomato paste, and cook for 3 minutes over medium heat. Next, add 400 grams of crushed tomatoes and let the mixture simmer uncovered for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, cook 200 grams of French green lentils, like those from Puy or Berry, with a bay leaf in a large pot of cold water. Bring to a boil and cook for 20 minutes. Drain the lentils, add them to the tomato sauce, and continue cooking for another 5 minutes.
Finish by seasoning with salt and pepper. If needed, loosen the sauce with a ladle of the lentil (or pasta) cooking water. Serve with al dente spaghetti and a generous amount of grated Parmesan cheese. Even meat lovers will be impressed by this dish!
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