Vegetarian One-Pot Lentil and Vegetable Stew

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-04 · Updated 2026-05-04

A hearty and nourishing one-pot lentil stew packed with vegetables, perfect for a comforting meal during busy days. This Mediterranean-inspired vegetarian recipe, ready in about 50 minutes, pairs green lentils, rinsed, olive oil, 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 green lentils, rinsed
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 2 medium carrot, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes (canned)
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
• 1 tbsp lemon juice

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 diced medium yellow onion, 2 diced medium carrots, and 2 diced celery stalks. Sauté for 6-8 minutes until vegetables soften and onions turn translucent.
2. Step 2: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, and 1/2 tsp dried thyme, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Step 3: Add 1 cup rinsed green lentils, 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with juices, and 4 cups vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 30-35 minutes until lentils are tender.
4. Step 4: Season the stew with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Stir in 2 cups roughly chopped fresh spinach and cook for 3 more minutes until wilted.
5. Step 5: Remove from heat and stir in 1 tbsp lemon juice to brighten the flavors before serving.