Tomato and Feta Braised Mediterranean Lentils
Hearty lentils slowly braised in a rich tomato sauce with crumbled feta and fresh herbs for a warming vegetarian Mediterranean main dish. This greek-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian, mediterranean) ready in about 55 minutes pairs brown lentils, rinsed, olive oil, medium yellow onion, diced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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 brown lentils, rinsed
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 1 large carrot, diced
- 1 stalk celery stalk, diced
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 14 oz canned crushed tomatoes
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 4 oz feta cheese, crumbled
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 diced yellow onion, 1 diced large carrot, and 1 diced celery stalk. Sauté for 6-7 minutes until vegetables soften and onion is translucent.
- Step 2: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 1 cup rinsed brown lentils, 14 oz canned crushed tomatoes, 3 cups vegetable broth, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 bay leaf, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring to a boil.
- Step 4: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 30-35 minutes until lentils are tender and the sauce thickens.
- Step 5: Remove bay leaf. Stir in 4 oz crumbled feta cheese and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley. Adjust seasoning as desired.
- Step 6: Serve warm with crusty bread or over rice for a satisfying vegetarian meal.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Tomato and Feta Braised Mediterranean Lentils take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (15 min prep + 40 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 Tomato and Feta Braised Mediterranean Lentils?
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 brown lentils, rinsed from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Tomato and Feta Braised Mediterranean Lentils?
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 Tomato and Feta Braised Mediterranean Lentils 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 Tomato and Feta Braised Mediterranean Lentils 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.
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