Vegetarian One-Pot Lentil and Rice Bowl

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-03 · Updated 2026-05-03

A nourishing one-pot bowl combining hearty lentils and rice with vibrant vegetables. This Mediterranean-inspired vegetarian recipe, ready in about 55 minutes, pairs brown lentils, long grain brown rice, carrot 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 cup rinsed long grain brown rice
• 1 medium, diced carrot
• 1 medium, diced red bell pepper
• 1 small, finely chopped yellow onion
• 3 minced garlic cloves
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 small finely chopped yellow onion and 3 minced garlic cloves, sautéing for 4 minutes until soft and fragrant.
2. Step 2: Add 1 medium diced carrot and 1 medium diced red bell pepper, cooking for 3 minutes until slightly tender.
3. Step 3: Stir in 1 cup rinsed brown lentils, 1 cup rinsed long grain brown rice, 1/2 tsp ground turmeric, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to coat the grains and vegetables.
4. Step 4: Pour in 4 cups vegetable broth and bring to a boil over high heat.
5. Step 5: Once boiling, reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 40 minutes until the lentils and rice are tender and liquid is absorbed.
6. Step 6: Remove from heat, fluff the mixture gently with a fork, and stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley before serving warm.