Underground Shelter Hearty Lentil Stew
A comforting, protein-rich lentil stew with earthy root vegetables and smoky paprika, perfect for cozying up indoors. This mediterranean-inspired vegan ready in about 50 minutes pairs green lentils, medium, diced carrot, diced celery stalks 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, diced carrot
- 2, diced celery stalks
- 1 large, chopped yellow onion
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 bay leaf
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 large chopped yellow onion, 2 diced medium carrots, and 2 diced celery stalks, sautéing for 5-6 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 2: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp smoked paprika, and 1/2 tsp dried thyme, cooking for 1 minute until aromatic.
- Step 3: Add 1 cup green lentils, 4 cups vegetable broth, 1 bay leaf, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30-35 minutes until lentils are tender and stew is thickened.
- Step 4: Remove bay leaf, adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed, and serve warm.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Underground Shelter Hearty Lentil Stew take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (10 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 Underground Shelter Hearty Lentil Stew?
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 green lentils from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Underground Shelter Hearty Lentil Stew?
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 Underground Shelter Hearty Lentil Stew 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 Underground Shelter Hearty Lentil Stew vegan?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegan based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
