Exclusive Recipe from Justine Drake in our MOM & WOW Diaries 2026: Beef & Lentil Bolognaise

We’re back with another family favourite from Justine Drake, straight from our MOM & WOW Diaries 2026.

This very simple Beef & Lentil Bolognaise is officially “famous” among Justine’s kids’ friends, and once you try it, you’ll understand why. Adding lentils helps stretch the meal further, boosts fibre, and somehow makes it even more satisfying.

It’s the perfect comfort dish for busy evenings, weekend batch cooking, or filling hungry bellies with something hearty and wholesome.

Saucy Secret

You cannot rush a bolognaise sauce. A long, slow simmer is the guarantee of a perfect outcome. Double the recipe and freeze for easy future dinners if you fancy.

Ingredients (Serves at least 6)

• Olive and seed oil blend

• 2 cloves garlic, crushed

• 1 large onion, finely chopped

• 500 g lean beef mince

• ½ packet (250 g) dried brown lentils, washed

• 2 carrots, peeled and grated

• 2 stalks celery, leaves included, finely chopped

• 1 Tbsp (15 ml) beef stock powder

• Water as needed

• 1 packet (50 g) tomato paste

• 1 can (410 g) chopped peeled tomatoes

• 2 tsp (10 ml) sugar

• Worcestershire sauce

• Salt and milled pepper

Method

1. Heat oil in a medium-sized pot.

2. Add garlic and onion and sauté for about 2 minutes until onions are glossy.

3. Add mince and cook for 5 to 8 minutes until browned, stirring frequently to break up lumps.

4. Add lentils, carrot, celery, and stock powder. Cook, stirring occasionally, until lentils are just tender. Add water as needed to keep enough liquid for the lentils to soften.

5. Once lentils are tender, stir in tomato paste, canned tomatoes, sugar, seasoning, and a good shake or two of Worcestershire sauce.

6. Cover and simmer gently over low heat for at least one hour.

7. If the sauce is too watery, remove the lid and cook to reduce slightly.

8. Season well and serve.

The Options Are Endless

This versatile bolognaise can be enjoyed in so many ways:

• Serve over pasta, rice, or mash

• Use to fill wraps or pita breads

• Ladle over chunky baguette, Sloppy Joe style

• Pile onto fluffy baked potatoes

• Use as the base for a tomatoey cottage pie

Why We Love This Recipe

Justine Drake’s recipes are made for real families. They are simple, nourishing, budget friendly, and packed with flavour. This bolognaise is perfect for batch cooking, freezing, and turning into multiple meals throughout the week.

We’re so excited to share Justine’s recipes each month through our MOM & WOW Diaries 2026, helping make home cooking easier and more joyful.

✨ Make It Your Own
Add extra veggies, spice it up with chilli, or enjoy leftovers the next day. This sauce only gets better with time.