Hidden Veg Ragu: A Sneaky Way to Get Your Five-a-Day

Hidden veg ragu is a delicious and nutritious way to get your daily dose of vegetables. It's a great way to sneak extra veggies into your family's diet, especially if they're not big fans of eating them on their own.

Ragu is a slow-cooked tomato sauce that is typically made with meat. However, in this recipe, we're using a combination of lentils and vegetables to create a hearty and flavorful sauce that is packed with nutrients.

Ingredients:

* 1 tablespoon olive oil
* 1 onion, chopped
* 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
* 2 celery stalks, chopped
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 pound dried lentils, picked over and rinsed
* 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
* 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
* 1 cup water
* 1 teaspoon dried oregano
* 1 teaspoon dried basil
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
* 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions:

1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery and cook until softened about 5 minutes.
2. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
3. Stir in the lentils, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, water, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes, or until the lentils are tender.
4. Remove from heat and stir in the Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve over your favorite pasta or rice.

Tips:

* You can use any type of vegetables you like in this recipe. Some other good options include zucchini, bell peppers, and spinach.
* If you don't have any dried lentils, you can use 2 cans (15 ounces each) of canned lentils, drained and rinsed.
* This recipe can be made ahead of time and reheated when you're ready to serve. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Benefits of Hidden Veg Ragu:

* It's a great way to get your daily dose of vegetables.
* It's a hearty and flavorful sauce that is perfect for pasta or rice.
* It's a good source of protein and fiber.
* It's a relatively low-fat and low-calorie meal.
* It's a budget-friendly meal that is easy to make.

Hidden veg ragu is a delicious and nutritious way to get your family eating more vegetables. It's a great way to sneak extra veggies into their diet, and it's a meal that everyone will enjoy.