Close
Get thoselentilsout of your pantry to make one of these satisfying dinners. Lentils are a nutrient-denselegumethat can be used in anything from soups and stews to stuffed peppers and shepherd’s pie. Plus, you’ll find lentils contribute to the15 grams of proteinor more per serving in each of these meals. This protein can help to supportsatiety, muscle recovery and bone healthto keep you feeling your best. Readers give recipes like our Kale & Lentil Stew with Mashed Potatoes and One-Pot Lentils & Rice with Spinach four- and five-star reviews for being as flavorful as they are nourishing.
01of 18One-Pot Lentil & Vegetable Soup with ParmesanAntonis AchilleosThis lentil-vegetable soup is packed with kale and tomatoes for a filling, flavorful main dish. If you have it, the Parmesan cheese rind adds nuttiness and gives the broth some body. If you avoid cheese made with rennet, look for vegetarian Parmesan cheese, which is made without it.View Recipe
01of 18
One-Pot Lentil & Vegetable Soup with Parmesan
Antonis Achilleos
This lentil-vegetable soup is packed with kale and tomatoes for a filling, flavorful main dish. If you have it, the Parmesan cheese rind adds nuttiness and gives the broth some body. If you avoid cheese made with rennet, look for vegetarian Parmesan cheese, which is made without it.
View Recipe
02of 18Roasted Root Veggies & Greens over Spiced LentilsThis earthy bowl of lentils is topped with leftover roasted root veggies from a large batch for an easy weeknight dinner. Keep it vegan or add a drizzle of plain yogurt for extra richness.View Recipe
02of 18
Roasted Root Veggies & Greens over Spiced Lentils
This earthy bowl of lentils is topped with leftover roasted root veggies from a large batch for an easy weeknight dinner. Keep it vegan or add a drizzle of plain yogurt for extra richness.
03of 18Kale & Lentil Stew with Mashed PotatoesFire-roasted tomatoes add slightly smoky flavor to red lentils. The addition of mashed potatoes gives this an upside-down shepherd’s pie feel.View Recipe
03of 18
Kale & Lentil Stew with Mashed Potatoes
Fire-roasted tomatoes add slightly smoky flavor to red lentils. The addition of mashed potatoes gives this an upside-down shepherd’s pie feel.
04of 18One-Pot Lentils & Rice with SpinachThis hearty vegan dish gets its earthy flavor from cumin and brown rice. If you can handle extra heat, try doubling the crushed red pepper for a bigger punch of flavor.View Recipe
04of 18
One-Pot Lentils & Rice with Spinach
This hearty vegan dish gets its earthy flavor from cumin and brown rice. If you can handle extra heat, try doubling the crushed red pepper for a bigger punch of flavor.
05of 18Harira (Moroccan Tomato, Lentil & Beef Soup)Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Lauren McAnelly, Prop stylist: Gabriel GrecoHarira is a tomato-based soup featured at the center of many Moroccan tables during the month of Ramadan. It’s often enjoyed as part of iftar, or the meal served to break the fast each evening, along with dates, milk, hard-boiled eggs, semolina pancakes and chebakia (sesame cookies). This version features chickpeas, lentils, beef and noodles in a fragrant tomato broth, but there are endless variations on the soup.View Recipe
05of 18
Harira (Moroccan Tomato, Lentil & Beef Soup)
Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Lauren McAnelly, Prop stylist: Gabriel Greco
Harira is a tomato-based soup featured at the center of many Moroccan tables during the month of Ramadan. It’s often enjoyed as part of iftar, or the meal served to break the fast each evening, along with dates, milk, hard-boiled eggs, semolina pancakes and chebakia (sesame cookies). This version features chickpeas, lentils, beef and noodles in a fragrant tomato broth, but there are endless variations on the soup.
06of 18Red Lentil Soup with SaffronJacob FoxThis hearty red lentil soup uses spices common in Persian cuisine: turmeric, cumin and saffron. Enjoy it with a warm baguette or steamed rice.View Recipe
06of 18
Red Lentil Soup with Saffron
Jacob Fox
This hearty red lentil soup uses spices common in Persian cuisine: turmeric, cumin and saffron. Enjoy it with a warm baguette or steamed rice.
07of 18
Spiced Couscous-Stuffed Peppers
Courtesy Photo
08of 18Slow-Cooker Creamy Lentil Soup Freezer PackPrep the ingredients for this soup months in advance for a total hands-off meal that’s ready when you are. Vegetarian lentils and vegan coconut milk make this soup creamy and pack in plenty of plant-based protein and a hearty amount of fiber. To keep it vegan, opt for vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.View Recipe
08of 18
Slow-Cooker Creamy Lentil Soup Freezer Pack
Prep the ingredients for this soup months in advance for a total hands-off meal that’s ready when you are. Vegetarian lentils and vegan coconut milk make this soup creamy and pack in plenty of plant-based protein and a hearty amount of fiber. To keep it vegan, opt for vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
09of 18Vegan Shepherd’s PieLentils take the place of ground meat and vegan butter adds creaminess to the mashed potatoes in this easy vegan shepherd’s pie recipe. If you want to cut down on the cooking time, use precooked lentils and omit most of the vegetable broth, adding some in only if the mixture seems dry.View Recipe
09of 18
Vegan Shepherd’s Pie
Lentils take the place of ground meat and vegan butter adds creaminess to the mashed potatoes in this easy vegan shepherd’s pie recipe. If you want to cut down on the cooking time, use precooked lentils and omit most of the vegetable broth, adding some in only if the mixture seems dry.
10of 18
Lemony Lentil & Chard Soup
Photography / Nico Schinco, Food Styling / Frances Boswell, Prop Stylist / Paige Hicks
11of 18Braised Lentils & Kale with Fried EggsPhotographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Melissa Gray, Prop Stylist: Shell RoysterThese braised lentils are cooked with tender kale and bathed in a fire-roasted tomato broth with an egg on top to pack in the protein. Microwaveable lentils need just a short time in the pan to finish cooking. If you have cooked or canned lentils on hand, you can use them in their place, but you may have to shave a few minutes off the cooking time so they don’t get too soft. We like how the soft, runny yolk coats the dish. If you want a harder yolk, cover the pan and add 2 or 3 minutes to the cooking time.View Recipe
11of 18
Braised Lentils & Kale with Fried Eggs
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Melissa Gray, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
These braised lentils are cooked with tender kale and bathed in a fire-roasted tomato broth with an egg on top to pack in the protein. Microwaveable lentils need just a short time in the pan to finish cooking. If you have cooked or canned lentils on hand, you can use them in their place, but you may have to shave a few minutes off the cooking time so they don’t get too soft. We like how the soft, runny yolk coats the dish. If you want a harder yolk, cover the pan and add 2 or 3 minutes to the cooking time.
12of 18Lentil Stew with Salsa VerdeThis healthy vegetarian recipe is hearty and satisfying. Don’t skip the parsley relish (salsa verde)—it’s easy to make and lends a tangy accent that balances the flavors of the lentil stew. We prefer French green lentils for this stew, as they don’t fall apart while cooking; however, regular brown lentils (found in most supermarkets) will also work.View Recipe
12of 18
Lentil Stew with Salsa Verde
This healthy vegetarian recipe is hearty and satisfying. Don’t skip the parsley relish (salsa verde)—it’s easy to make and lends a tangy accent that balances the flavors of the lentil stew. We prefer French green lentils for this stew, as they don’t fall apart while cooking; however, regular brown lentils (found in most supermarkets) will also work.
13of 18Red Lentil Fritters with Ginger-Yogurt SauceCharlotte and Johnny AutryHere we soak lentils instead of fully cooking them, which gives them just enough added moisture to be whirred up into a fritter without being too wet. Serve these curry-spiced fritters on top of a green salad or tucked into a pita.View Recipe
13of 18
Red Lentil Fritters with Ginger-Yogurt Sauce
Charlotte and Johnny Autry
Here we soak lentils instead of fully cooking them, which gives them just enough added moisture to be whirred up into a fritter without being too wet. Serve these curry-spiced fritters on top of a green salad or tucked into a pita.
14of 18Braised Black Lentil & Quinoa BowlsAli RedmondThese healthy vegetarian bowls feature black lentils braised in spices like thyme and smoked paprika. Riced cauliflower and quinoa bulk up the dish to make it satisfying for any weeknight dinner. A creamy yogurt topping finishes the recipe.View Recipe
14of 18
Braised Black Lentil & Quinoa Bowls
Ali Redmond
These healthy vegetarian bowls feature black lentils braised in spices like thyme and smoked paprika. Riced cauliflower and quinoa bulk up the dish to make it satisfying for any weeknight dinner. A creamy yogurt topping finishes the recipe.
15of 18Instant Pot Lentil SoupThis Instant Pot lentil soup is quick enough to prepare when you get home from work for an easy weeknight dinner. This vegetarian soup recipe is full of aromatic vegetables, brown lentils and fresh spinach. A splash of balsamic vinegar brightens the flavor, and a garnish of radish and parsley gives this comforting soup a fresh finish.View Recipe
15of 18
Instant Pot Lentil Soup
This Instant Pot lentil soup is quick enough to prepare when you get home from work for an easy weeknight dinner. This vegetarian soup recipe is full of aromatic vegetables, brown lentils and fresh spinach. A splash of balsamic vinegar brightens the flavor, and a garnish of radish and parsley gives this comforting soup a fresh finish.
16of 18Lentil BurgersWalnuts and fresh marjoram accent these vegan lentil burgers. Substitute oregano for marjoram if you like. Serve with a smear of whole-grain mustard and roasted sweet potato wedges.View Recipe
16of 18
Lentil Burgers
Walnuts and fresh marjoram accent these vegan lentil burgers. Substitute oregano for marjoram if you like. Serve with a smear of whole-grain mustard and roasted sweet potato wedges.
17of 18Berbere-Spiced Chicken & Lentil StewThis chicken stew, generously seasoned with the Ethiopian spice mix berbere, is loaded with tomato and red lentils. Depending on brand, berbere spice blend can be rather spicy. For a less spicy stew, start with 3 tablespoons spice blend rather than 5.View Recipe
17of 18
Berbere-Spiced Chicken & Lentil Stew
This chicken stew, generously seasoned with the Ethiopian spice mix berbere, is loaded with tomato and red lentils. Depending on brand, berbere spice blend can be rather spicy. For a less spicy stew, start with 3 tablespoons spice blend rather than 5.
18of 18Mushroom & Lentil SoupPhotographer: Jennifer Causey, Food stylist: Ali Ramee, Prop stylist: Clairen SpollenFresh and dried mushrooms provide a deep umami flavor in this brothy soup, while harissa paste brings color and spiciness. Lentils serve as a great source of plant-based protein and help bulk up the soup so you’ll feel full and satisfied.View Recipe
18of 18
Mushroom & Lentil Soup
Photographer: Jennifer Causey, Food stylist: Ali Ramee, Prop stylist: Clairen Spollen
Fresh and dried mushrooms provide a deep umami flavor in this brothy soup, while harissa paste brings color and spiciness. Lentils serve as a great source of plant-based protein and help bulk up the soup so you’ll feel full and satisfied.
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!Tell us why!OtherSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Tell us why!OtherSubmit
Tell us why!
