V-Level Lentil & Vegetable Stew
A hearty, protein-packed stew featuring earthy green lentils, seasonal vegetables, and aromatic herbs for a nourishing weeknight dinner. This vegetarian-inspired vegetarian ready in about 60 minutes pairs rinsed green lentils, medium, diced carrots, stalks, diced celery for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 300 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 green lentils
- 2 medium, diced carrots
- 2 stalks, diced celery
- 1 medium, diced onion
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 can (15 oz), drained and rinsed cannellini beans
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp dried rosemary
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 2 diced carrots, 2 diced celery stalks, and 1 diced onion, cooking for 5 minutes until softened and translucent.
- Step 2: Add 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 cup rinsed green lentils, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1/2 tsp dried rosemary, 4 cups chicken broth, 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes, and 1 can (15 oz) drained cannellini beans. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 35 minutes until lentils are tender.
- Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp fresh parsley and season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for 2 more minutes.
- Step 5: Serve hot, garnished with additional fresh parsley if desired.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does V-Level Lentil & Vegetable Stew take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (15 min prep + 45 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 V-Level Lentil & Vegetable 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 rinsed green lentils from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in V-Level Lentil & Vegetable 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 V-Level Lentil & Vegetable 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.
What goes well with V-Level Lentil & Vegetable Stew?
Vegetarian vegetarian like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
- ★★★☆☆
It was fine. Came out a bit bland for my taste.
