Hearty Stone-Baked Vegetable and Lentil Stew

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-02 · Updated 2026-06-02

A rich, slow-simmered lentil stew with garden vegetables, inspired by the sturdy and earthy qualities of natural stone masonry. This Mediterranean-inspired soup recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 65 minutes, pairs green lentils, olive oil, yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 230 calories and feeds 6, 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
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large, diced yellow onion
• 2 medium, diced carrots
• 2, diced celery stalks
• 3, minced garlic cloves
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1 bay leaf

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Rinse 1 cup green lentils under cold water until clear, then set aside.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 large diced yellow onion, 2 diced medium carrots, and 2 diced celery stalks. Sauté for 6-7 minutes until vegetables soften and the onion becomes translucent.
3. Step 3: Add 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp dried thyme, and 1/2 tsp smoked paprika to the pot. Stir continuously for 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Step 4: Pour in 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with their juices, 4 cups vegetable broth, and add the rinsed lentils along with 1 bay leaf. Bring the mixture to a boil.
5. Step 5: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 35-40 minutes until lentils are tender and the stew thickens. Season with 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, stirring well.
6. Step 6: Remove the bay leaf, stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, and serve warm, enjoying the hearty, earthy flavors inspired by natural stone.