French Lentil and Mushroom Cassoulet

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A rustic French-inspired vegetarian cassoulet featuring earthy lentils and mushrooms slow-cooked with savory herbs. This french-inspired one pot (vegetarian) ready in about 65 minutes pairs green lentils, cremini mushrooms, carrot for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 370 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 4.4 (15 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 50 min Serves 4 French cuisine 370 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add 1 medium diced yellow onion, 1 large diced carrot, and 2 diced celery stalks; sauté for 6-7 minutes until softened.
  2. Step 2: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 12 oz sliced cremini mushrooms; cook for 5 more minutes until mushrooms release moisture and edges brown.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes until paste darkens and is fragrant. Pour in 1/2 cup dry white wine and simmer for 3 minutes to reduce slightly.
  4. Step 4: Add 1 cup rinsed green lentils, 3 cups vegetable broth, 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme, 1 bay leaf, 1 1/4 tsp salt, and 3/4 tsp black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 35-40 minutes until lentils are tender and most liquid absorbed.
  5. Step 5: Remove bay leaf, adjust seasoning if needed, and sprinkle 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley on top. Serve hot with 8 toasted baguette slices.

Frequently asked questions

How long does French Lentil and Mushroom Cassoulet take to make?

Total time is about 65 minutes (15 min prep + 50 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover French Lentil and Mushroom Cassoulet?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep green lentils from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in French Lentil and Mushroom Cassoulet?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale French Lentil and Mushroom Cassoulet for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is French Lentil and Mushroom Cassoulet vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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