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
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.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
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.
