Quaternary Lentil and Vegetable Stew with Smoky Paprika

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-08 · Updated 2026-05-08

A hearty lentil stew featuring a blend of four vegetables and smoky paprika, simmered to tender perfection. This Mediterranean recipe, ready in about 60 minutes, pairs brown lentils, carrot, celery stalk 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 rinsed brown lentils
• 1 large, diced 1/2-inch carrot
• 1, diced 1/2-inch celery stalk
• 1, diced 1/2-inch yellow bell pepper
• 1 medium, diced 1/2-inch zucchini
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium, finely chopped onion
• 3 minced garlic cloves
• 2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• to taste salt
• to taste black pepper
• 2 tbsp 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 until shimmering, about 1 minute.
2. Step 2: Add 1 medium finely chopped onion and 3 minced garlic cloves, sauté for 4 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
3. Step 3: Stir in 2 tsp smoked paprika and 1 tsp cumin powder and cook for 30 seconds until aromatic.
4. Step 4: Add 1 cup rinsed brown lentils, 1 diced large carrot, 1 diced celery stalk, 1 diced yellow bell pepper, and 1 diced medium zucchini; stir to combine.
5. Step 5: Pour in 4 cups vegetable broth, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 35-40 minutes until lentils and vegetables are tender and stew thickens.
6. Step 6: Season with salt and black pepper to taste, stirring well.
7. Step 7: Serve hot, garnished with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley for a fresh finish.