Quick Lentil and Pasta with Spicy Tomato and Fried Onion Topping
A fast weeknight version using store-bought pasta sauce and crispy fried onions for a satisfying Egyptian-inspired meal. This egyptian-inspired mediterranean (vegetarian) ready in about 50 minutes pairs rinsed brown lentils, rinsed 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 470 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
- 1/2 cup dried elbow pasta
- 1 can (14 oz) tomato-based pasta sauce
- 1 large, finely chopped onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 3 cups water
- 1/2 cup store-bought fried onions
Instructions
- 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.
- Step 2: Add 1 cup rinsed brown lentils to the pot and cook for 2 minutes until lightly toasted.
- Step 3: Stir in 3 cups water, 1 cup rinsed rice, and 1/2 cup dried elbow pasta. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes until lentils, rice, and pasta are tender.
- Step 4: Stir in 1 can (14 oz) tomato-based pasta sauce and cook for 5 minutes to heat through.
- Step 5: Season with salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup store-bought fried onions before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Quick Lentil and Pasta with Spicy Tomato and Fried Onion Topping take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Quick Lentil and Pasta with Spicy Tomato and Fried Onion Topping?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep rinsed brown lentils from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Quick Lentil and Pasta with Spicy Tomato and Fried Onion Topping?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Quick Lentil and Pasta with Spicy Tomato and Fried Onion Topping for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Quick Lentil and Pasta with Spicy Tomato and Fried Onion Topping vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
This has become our go-to mediterranean dish. We make it weekly.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
