Hearty Lentil and Rice Bowl

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-10 · Updated 2026-04-10

A nourishing plant-based bowl of lentils and rice simmered with carrots and celery for a filling, economical dinner. This vegetarian recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs brown rice, green lentils, and vegetable broth for a weeknight-friendly dinner. Each serving lands at about 380 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 "Build a week of meals around this recipe" 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 brown rice, rinsed
• 1 cup green lentils, rinsed
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 carrot, diced
• 1 stalk celery, diced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme

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Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large pot, combine 1 cup rinsed brown rice, 1 cup rinsed green lentils, 4 cups vegetable broth, 1 diced carrot, 1 diced celery stalk, 1/2 diced onion, and 2 minced garlic cloves; bring to a boil.
2. Step 2: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 25 minutes until rice and lentils are tender and liquid is absorbed.
3. Step 3: Stir in 1/2 tsp dried thyme and season with salt and pepper to taste; cook for 2 more minutes.
4. Step 4: Remove from heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes before serving.