One-Pot Lentil and Pasta Bowl with Tomato Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

A simplified Egyptian comfort food made entirely in one pot with tender lentils, rice, and pasta simmered in a flavorful tomato sauce. This Mediterranean recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 50 minutes, pairs brown lentils, long-grain rice, dried elbow pasta for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 35 min Serves 4 Egyptian cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large pot, heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil over medium heat. Add 1 large onion, finely chopped, and cook for 5 minutes until softened. Add 3 garlic cloves, minced, and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  2. Step 2: Stir in 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes, 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, and 3 cups water. Bring to a simmer.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 cup rinsed brown lentils, 1 cup rinsed rice, and 1/2 cup dried elbow pasta to the pot. Stir well to combine.
  4. Step 4: Cover the pot, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lentils, rice, and pasta are tender and liquid is absorbed.
  5. Step 5: Season with salt, pepper, and 1 tbsp lemon juice. Serve hot.

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