One-Pot Spiced Lentil and Root Vegetable Stew

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-28 · Updated 2026-05-28

A hearty, warming stew combining earthy root vegetables and protein-rich lentils simmered with aromatic spices. This Mediterranean-inspired soup recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 55 minutes, pairs green lentils, carrot, parsnip for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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 green lentils
• 2 medium, peeled and diced into 1/2-inch cubes carrot
• 1 medium, peeled and diced into 1/2-inch cubes parsnip
• 1 large, finely chopped yellow onion
• 3, minced garlic cloves
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup canned diced tomatoes
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup, chopped for garnish fresh parsley

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 large chopped yellow onion and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent and fragrant. Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute.
2. Step 2: Add 2 diced carrots and 1 diced parsnip, cooking for 4 minutes until slightly softened. Stir in 2 tsp ground cumin and 1 tsp smoked paprika, toasting the spices for 1 minute until aromatic.
3. Step 3: Pour in 1 cup green lentils, 4 cups vegetable broth, and 1 cup canned diced tomatoes with their juice. Season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cover.
4. Step 4: Simmer the stew for 30-35 minutes until lentils and vegetables are tender and the stew thickens. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
5. Step 5: Adjust seasoning if needed and garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley before serving warm.