Vegetarian's Best Lentil and Vegetable Stew
A hearty, nutrient-packed stew with earthy lentils and seasonal vegetables, simmered to perfection for cozy comfort. This mediterranean-inspired vegetarian ready in about 65 minutes pairs rinsed brown lentils, vegetable broth, diced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 300 calories and feeds 6, 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
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1, diced onion
- 2, diced carrots
- 2 stalks, diced celery
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp dried rosemary
- 1/2 cup, chopped spinach
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 diced onion and cook for 5 minutes until softened and translucent.
- Step 2: Add 2 diced carrots, 2 diced celery stalks, and 3 minced garlic cloves. Cook for 5 minutes until vegetables are tender.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 cup rinsed brown lentils, 4 cups vegetable broth, 1 can diced tomatoes, 1 tsp dried thyme, and 1/2 tsp dried rosemary. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 25 minutes until lentils are tender.
- Step 4: Stir in 1/2 cup chopped spinach and cook for 2 more minutes until wilted.
- Step 5: Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot with crusty bread for dipping.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Vegetarian's Best Lentil and Vegetable Stew take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (20 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 Vegetarian's Best Lentil and 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 brown lentils from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Vegetarian's Best Lentil and 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 Vegetarian's Best Lentil and Vegetable Stew for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Vegetarian's Best Lentil and Vegetable Stew?
Mediterranean 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
- ★★★★★
Substituted chicken for tofu and it worked beautifully.
- ★★★★★
Doubled the garlic (as one does) and it was amazing.
- ★★★☆☆
Not bad. Would need significant modifications to make it a regular.
