Lentils don’t usually get the spotlight: too humble, too pantry-staple, too “health food.”
But give them the right treatment, and they actually are delicious (and they’re super cheap).
These 20 recipes prove lentils can be pretty fun to cook with.
So if you’ve got a bag sitting around and no real plan, this list is here to change that. Yes, lentils can be exciting. Here’s the proof.
Spiced Carrot and Red Lentil Soup
Image Credit: Parsley and Parm.
This spiced carrot and red lentil soup recipe is beautifully silky, nourishing, and warming. It features a bit of Middle Eastern-inspired spice. It’s a rich, velvety carrot and lentil soup with a hint of spice.
Get the Recipe: Spiced Carrot and Red Lentil Soup
Lentil Bolognese Recipe
Image Credit: I Heart Eating.
Naturally gluten-free and vegan, this Lentil Bolognese recipe is a hearty, healthy lentil recipe that’s perfect for topping pasta or just about anything else!
Get the Recipe: Lentil Bolognese Recipe
Instant Pot Sausage Lentil Soup
Image Credit: Eating in an Instant.
This Instant Pot sausage lentil soup is a hearty soup that’s perfect for chilly winter nights. This easy soup is packed with flavor!
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Sausage Lentil Soup
Lentil Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Image Credit: Joyful Dumplings.
Lentil Stuffed Sweet Potatoes is the kind of meal that makes you feel good, and it’s really simple to make. This is one of those recipes you’ll want to come back to time and again.
Get the Recipe: Lentil Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Lentil Salad With Lemon-Dijon Dressing
Image Credit: The Forked Spoon.
This easy Lentil Salad is made with delicious green lentils, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, fresh parsley, tangy feta, and a simple lemon-Dijon dressing. Packed with nutritious plant-based protein, flavor, and texture, it’s the ultimate make-ahead lunch or dinner and tastes even better the next day!
Get the Recipe: Easy Lentil Salad with Lemon-Dijon Dressing
Healthy Lentil Patties Recipe
Image Credit: The Cooking Foodie.
These lentil patties are healthy, easy to make, and very delicious. If you are looking for notorious recipes with red lentil,s this recipe is perfect for you. These patties can be baked or fried, making them perfect for a prep meal or freezing.
Get the Recipe: Healthy Lentil Patties Recipe
Best Vegan Lentil Loaf
Image Credit: Steph Sunshine.
This lentil loaf is tender, hearty, full of flavor, and keeps both vegans and meat eaters coming back for seconds. This vegan meatloaf is also a great meal any time of year!
Get the Recipe: The Best Vegan Lentil Loaf
Easy Chana Dal Palak Recipe (Spinach Daal)
Image Credit: Veg Buffet.
This Palak Chana Dal Recipe is a one-pot Spinach Recipe made super easy for you. A popular recipe from North India, this Spinach Dal is a total comfort meal.
Get the Recipe: Easy Chana Dal Palak Recipe (Spinach Daal)
Red Lentil and Mozzarella Croquettes
Image Credit: Chef’s Pencil.
These are fluffy and crispy red lentil croquettes filled with juicy, delicious mozzarella that melts in your mouth! It’s a great vegetarian snack or appetizer, but also works great as a light lunch when served alongside a fresh salad.
Get the Recipe: Red Lentil and Mozzarella Croquettes
Kale Curried Red Lentils
Image Credit: Healing Tomato.
These Kale Curried Red Lentils are ready in 30 minutes and can be made ahead. If you need a recipe for meal prep, these red lentils are exactly what you need. Eat with rice or by itself.
Get the Recipe: Kale Curried Red Lentils
The Best Chickpea and Lentil Curry
Image Credit: Bless this Meal.
This delicious and healthy meal is made with this easy-to-make chickpea and lentil curry recipe. Packed with plant-based protein, fiber, and flavorful spices, this curry is a nutritious and satisfying vegetarian dish.
Get the Recipe: The Best Chickpea and Lentil Curry
Roasted Vegetable Soup With Lentils and Chickpeas
Image Credit: Red Pot Blue Pan.
This delicious soup has flavor packed into each bowl, it has a hearty tomato cumin broth and is full of chunks of roasted red bell peppers, carrots, and chickpeas. Packed with nutritious vegetables and delivering a good serving of protein from the chickpeas and lentils, this soup will keep you feeling full and satisfied.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Vegetable Soup with Lentils and Chickpeas
Lentil Quinoa Salad
Image Credit: Joyful Eating Nutrition.
This Lentil quinoa salad is satisfying as a side or complete meal and is high in protein and fibre, with lentils, quinoa, cashews, fresh vegetables, and herbs.
Get the Recipe: Lentil Quinoa Salad
Umbrian Lentil Soup With Pasta
Image Credit: The Pasta Project.
This easy and nutritious traditional one-pot vegetarian or vegan pasta and lentil soup recipe is from Umbria in Central Italy.
Get the Recipe: Umbrian Lentil Soup with Pasta
Meatless Pot Pie With Lentils
Image Credit: Baste Cut Fold.
Featuring a flaky pastry crust filled with potatoes, lentils, and colorful vegetables in a creamy, herb-infused sauce, this meatless pot pie with lentils makes a great option for an easy weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Meatless Pot Pie with Lentils
Dal Bukhara Recipe
Image Credit: Oh My Veg.
Lovingly simmered with garlic, cream, and plenty of butter, these black lentils are unbelievably rich and velvety. The sweet aroma, full-bodied flavour, and smoky depth are bonuses that make it impossible to stop eating.
Get the Recipe: Dal Bukhara Recipe
Carrot and Lentil Soup With a Sweet Apple Twist
Image Credit: Mom Cooking for Three.
This Cozy Carrot and Lentil Soup with a Sweet Apple Twist is a comforting blend of tender carrots, creamy red lentils, and warming spices, finished with a touch of apple and honey for a subtle sweetness.
Get the Recipe: Cozy Carrot and Lentil Soup with a Sweet Apple Twist
Sausage and Lentil Stew With Cheesy Polenta
Image Credit: What to Have For Dinner Tonight.
Cheesy polenta might just be one of the best side dishes there is, and when it’s served with sausage and lentil stew, it’s a match made in heaven! The polenta is soft and creamy, and the sausage stew is full of rich flavours.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Lentil Stew With Cheesy Polenta
Greek Lentil Salad
Image Credit: Haute and Healthy Living.
This Greek Lentil Salad is made with creamy feta and tossed in a delicious lemon-honey dressing. It’s super easy to make and infused with mouthwatering Mediterranean flavors. It can be made in less than 30 minutes!
Get the Recipe: Greek Lentil Salad
Slow Cooker Madras Lentils
Image Credit: The Lazy Slow Cooker.
This crockpot recipe is a delicious, easy, and healthy meal. Slow cooker madras lentils are a savory, saucy dish that is just bursting with vibrant Indian spices. The creamy (but dairy-free) tomato goodness and protein-packed lentils make this dish just perfect.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Madras Lentils
Leave a Reply