One-Pot Spiced Lentil and Tomato Pilaf

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-29 · Updated 2026-04-29

A fragrant and colorful pilaf made by simmering lentils and tomatoes with aromatic spices in a single pot. This Middle Eastern-inspired vegan recipe, ready in about 50 minutes, pairs brown lentils, long grain rice, diced tomatoes for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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, rinsed brown lentils
• 1 cup, rinsed long grain rice
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 medium, diced onion
• 2 cloves, minced garlic cloves
• 3 cups vegetable broth
• 1 tsp ground turmeric
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1.5 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp, chopped fresh cilantro

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large deep skillet or pot over medium heat. Add 1 medium diced onion and 2 minced garlic cloves, sautéing for 4 minutes until soft and fragrant.
2. Step 2: Stir in 1 tsp ground turmeric, 1 tsp ground cumin, and 1 tsp ground coriander, cooking for 1 minute until spices are fragrant.
3. Step 3: Add 1 cup rinsed brown lentils, 1 cup rinsed long grain rice, 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with their juice, 3 cups vegetable broth, 1.5 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Stir to combine.
4. Step 4: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 30-35 minutes until lentils and rice are tender and liquid is absorbed.
5. Step 5: Remove from heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes.
6. Step 6: Fluff pilaf with a fork and stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro before serving.