Hungarian-Inspired Lentil Stew with Root Vegetables

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-16 · Updated 2026-05-16

A hearty lentil stew featuring earthy root vegetables and a touch of paprika, simmered to develop rich, comforting flavors. This Mediterranean-inspired vegan recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 55 minutes, pairs brown lentils, carrots, parsnip for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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 brown lentils
• 2 medium, diced carrots
• 1 medium, diced parsnip
• 1 large, chopped yellow onion
• 3 minced garlic cloves
• 2 tbsp sweet Hungarian paprika
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill

The Dutch oven we’d braise this in → Best Dutch Ovens for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 large chopped yellow onion and 3 minced garlic cloves, sautéing for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
2. Step 2: Stir in 2 diced carrots and 1 diced parsnip, cooking for an additional 5 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.
3. Step 3: Add 2 tbsp sweet Hungarian paprika and 2 tbsp tomato paste to the pot, stirring for 1 minute until the spices are fragrant.
4. Step 4: Rinse 1 cup brown lentils and add them to the pot along with 4 cups vegetable broth, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 30-35 minutes until lentils and vegetables are tender.
5. Step 5: Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill just before serving to add brightness.