French Lentil and Ratatouille Stew with Herbes de Provence
A comforting French-inspired stew combining earthy lentils with classic ratatouille vegetables and fragrant Herbes de Provence. This french-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 60 minutes pairs green lentils, medium red bell pepper, diced, medium yellow onion, diced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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.
Ingredients
- 1 cup green lentils
- 1 medium eggplant, diced into 1/2-inch cubes
- 1 medium zucchini, diced into 1/2-inch cubes
- 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 14 oz canned diced tomatoes
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp Herbes de Provence
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 diced medium yellow onion and 3 minced garlic cloves, sautéing for 4-5 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 1 medium diced eggplant, 1 medium diced zucchini, and 1 diced red bell pepper. Cook for 7-8 minutes until vegetables soften and start to brown at the edges.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 cup green lentils, 14 oz canned diced tomatoes with juices, 4 cups vegetable broth, 2 tsp Herbes de Provence, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring to a boil.
- Step 4: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30-35 minutes until lentils are tender and stew thickens, stirring occasionally.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and fold in 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves. Adjust seasoning to taste before serving warm.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does French Lentil and Ratatouille Stew with Herbes de Provence take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (15 min prep + 45 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 Ratatouille Stew with Herbes de Provence?
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 Ratatouille Stew with Herbes de Provence?
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 Ratatouille Stew with Herbes de Provence 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 Ratatouille Stew with Herbes de Provence 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.
