Lentil and Butternut Squash Stew with Smoked Paprika
A hearty one-pot meal featuring earthy lentils and sweet roasted squash, simmered in a savory broth with warming smoked paprika. This one-pot recipe (vegan), ready in about 60 minutes, pairs butternut squash, green lentils, chicken broth 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
- 2 cups diced butternut squash
- 1 cup green lentils
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium, diced onion
- 2 medium, diced carrot
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tsp dried thyme
The Dutch oven we’d braise this in → Best Dutch Ovens for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss 2 cups diced butternut squash with 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, and a pinch of salt, then spread on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Roast for 20 minutes until tender and slightly caramelized.
- Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 diced onion and 2 diced carrots, sautéing for 5 minutes until softened. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 cup green lentils, 3 cups chicken broth, 1 can diced tomatoes, 1 tsp dried thyme, and the remaining 1 tsp smoked paprika. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and cover. Simmer for 25 minutes until lentils are tender.
- Step 4: Add the roasted butternut squash to the pot, stir gently, and heat through for 5 minutes. Taste and adjust salt if needed.








