Linguine with Red Lentil Sauce

Although lentils are more prominent in Indian and Middle Eastern cooking, they are also used in Italian cuisine. This thin lens-shaped legume is rich in protein, calcium, iron, and B-complex vitamins. Since lentils do not require soaking and cook up quickly, this recipe doesn’t require a lot of advance planning to get dinner on the table. If you like, cook the lentils in vegetable broth instead of water. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta.