Hearty Vegetarian Lentil and Sweet Potato Stew
A warming stew combining protein-rich lentils and sweet potatoes in a savory tomato broth, perfect for a nourishing vegetarian meal. This mediterranean-inspired vegetarian ready in about 60 minutes pairs rinsed brown lentils, large, diced onion, medium, peeled and diced carrot for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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, rinsed brown lentils
- 2 medium (about 1 lb), peeled and diced into 1/2-inch cubes sweet potatoes
- 1 large, diced onion
- 2 medium, peeled and diced carrot
- 2, diced celery stalks
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 14 oz can diced tomatoes
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1.5 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup, chopped for garnish fresh parsley
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 large diced onion, 2 diced carrots, and 2 diced celery stalks; sauté for 6-7 minutes until softened and translucent.
- Step 2: Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp ground cumin, and 1 tsp smoked paprika, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 1 cup rinsed brown lentils, 2 diced sweet potatoes, 14 oz canned diced tomatoes with juice, and 4 cups vegetable broth. Stir well, then bring to a boil.
- Step 4: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 35-40 minutes until lentils and sweet potatoes are tender and stew has thickened. Season with 1.5 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper.
- Step 5: Serve hot, garnished with 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley for a fresh finish.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Hearty Vegetarian Lentil and Sweet Potato Stew 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 Hearty Vegetarian Lentil and Sweet Potato Stew?
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 rinsed brown lentils from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Hearty Vegetarian Lentil and Sweet Potato Stew?
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 Hearty Vegetarian Lentil and Sweet Potato Stew for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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.
What goes well with Hearty Vegetarian Lentil and Sweet Potato Stew?
Mediterranean vegetarian like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
