Layered Vegan Lentil and Sweet Potato Stew

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-04 · Updated 2026-05-04

A hearty vegan stew with layers of earthy lentils, sweet potatoes, and aromatic spices, simmered to rich, comforting perfection. This Mediterranean recipe (vegan), ready in about 60 minutes, pairs brown lentils, sweet potato, onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 5, 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, peeled and diced into 1-inch cubes sweet potato
• 1 large, diced onion
• 2 medium, sliced into rounds carrot
• 2, diced celery stalks
• 3 cloves minced garlic
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup chopped, for garnish fresh cilantro

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 large diced onion, 2 sliced carrots, 2 diced celery stalks, and 3 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for 6-7 minutes until vegetables soften and become fragrant.
2. Step 2: Stir in 1 tsp ground cumin and 1 tsp smoked paprika, cooking for 1 minute until spices are aromatic.
3. Step 3: Add 1 cup brown lentils, 2 diced medium sweet potatoes (1-inch cubes), 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with juices, and 4 cups vegetable broth. Stir well and bring to a boil.
4. Step 4: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 35-40 minutes until lentils and sweet potatoes are tender and stew thickens. Season with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
5. Step 5: Serve hot, garnished with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro.