Elevate your weeknight dinners with this incredibly satisfying Delicious Pasta With Lentils. This recipe offers a wholesome, budget-friendly, and flavor-packed meal that’s perfect for any occasion, proving that healthy eating can be both simple and incredibly delicious.
Key Ingredients for Delicious Pasta With Lentils
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium carrot, finely diced
- 1 stalk celery, finely diced
- 1 cup brown or green lentils, rinsed and drained
- 4 cups vegetable broth (or chicken broth for a richer flavor)
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning (or a mix of dried oregano, basil, and thyme)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 8 ounces pasta of your choice (penne, rotini, or elbow macaroni work well)
- Optional garnishes: fresh parsley or basil, grated Parmesan cheese, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil
How to Make Delicious Pasta With Lentils
Get ready for a culinary revelation! This Delicious Pasta With Lentils is remarkably easy to prepare, yet it delivers a depth of flavor and a comforting texture that will leave you feeling wonderfully satisfied. The secret lies in the slow simmer of earthy lentils with aromatic vegetables and savory broth, creating a rich sauce that clings beautifully to every piece of pasta. You’ll be amazed at how a few simple ingredients can transform into such a hearty and delicious meal in under 45 minutes.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Sauté the Aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrot, and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have softened, about 5-7 minutes. This foundational step builds essential flavor. You want the onions to become translucent without browning too much.
- Add Garlic and Lentils: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can turn bitter. Next, add the rinsed and drained lentils to the pot. Give everything a good stir to coat the lentils with the sautéed vegetables and oil.
- Simmer the Base: Pour in the vegetable broth and the can of diced tomatoes (including their juices). Add the dried Italian seasoning. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
- Cook the Lentils: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for about 20-25 minutes, or until the lentils are tender. You want them to be soft but not mushy. This simmering time allows the flavors to meld beautifully and the lentils to absorb the liquid.
- Cook the Pasta: While the lentils are simmering, cook your pasta according to the package directions in a separate pot of salted boiling water. Drain the pasta once it’s al dente, reserving about half a cup of the pasta cooking water.
- Combine and Thicken: Once the lentils are tender, taste the mixture and season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. If the sauce seems too thick, you can add a little of the reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency. If it’s too thin, let it simmer uncovered for a few more minutes.
- Finish and Serve: Add the drained, cooked pasta directly into the pot with the lentil mixture. Stir gently to coat the pasta evenly with the lentil sauce. Allow the pasta and lentil mixture to simmer together for another 1-2 minutes, allowing the pasta to absorb some of the delicious sauce.
- Garnish and Enjoy: Serve the Delicious Pasta With Lentils hot. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley or basil for a pop of color and freshness, a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese for extra savoriness, and a final drizzle of extra virgin olive oil for added richness, if desired.
Why You’ll Love This Delicious Pasta With Lentils
You’ll absolutely adore this Delicious Pasta With Lentils for its incredible heartiness and deeply satisfying flavor profile, making it a delightful alternative to traditional meat-based pasta dishes. Unlike a simple lentil soup, this recipe transforms humble lentils into a creamy, comforting sauce that coats every strand of pasta, offering a delightful texture that’s both filling and flavorful. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to stretch your grocery budget; dried lentils are incredibly inexpensive, making this meal a budget-friendly champion that will nourish your family without breaking the bank, a stark contrast to the cost of some commercially prepared pasta meals.
The beauty of this dish lies in its versatility and the opportunity for creative topping additions. Imagine it nestled under a generous sprinkle of sharp Parmesan, vibrant fresh herbs, or even a swirl of tangy pesto – these simple additions elevate the experience from wholesome to gourmet in seconds. It’s the perfect weeknight comfort food that feels special without the fuss of complicated techniques, making it a go-to option when you crave something delicious and nourishing. Give this Delicious Pasta With Lentils a try; your taste buds and your wallet will thank you!
Storing and Reheating Tips
Leftover Delicious Pasta With Lentils can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Ensure the dish has cooled completely before refrigerating to prevent bacterial growth and condensation.
To reheat, you can gently warm it on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally. You may need to add a splash of water or vegetable broth to loosen the sauce if it has thickened. Alternatively, you can reheat individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through. For long-term storage, this dish also freezes beautifully. Portion it into freezer-safe containers or bags and freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Final Thoughts
This Delicious Pasta With Lentils is a testament to how simple, wholesome ingredients can create a truly memorable and satisfying meal. We encourage you to bring this comforting and flavorful dish to your own table for a delightful culinary adventure!
Delicious Pasta With Lentils
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrot, and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have softened, about 5-7 minutes. This foundational step builds essential flavor. You want the onions to become translucent without browning too much.1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 medium onion, 1 medium carrot, 1 stalk celery
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can turn bitter. Next, add the rinsed and drained lentils to the pot. Give everything a good stir to coat the lentils with the sautéed vegetables and oil.2 cloves garlic, 1 cup brown or green lentils
- Pour in the vegetable broth and the can of diced tomatoes (including their juices). Add the dried Italian seasoning. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.4 cups vegetable broth, 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for about 20-25 minutes, or until the lentils are tender. You want them to be soft but not mushy. This simmering time allows the flavors to meld beautifully and the lentils to absorb the liquid.
- While the lentils are simmering, cook your pasta according to the package directions in a separate pot of salted boiling water. Drain the pasta once it’s al dente, reserving about half a cup of the pasta cooking water.8 ounces pasta of your choice
- Once the lentils are tender, taste the mixture and season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. If the sauce seems too thick, you can add a little of the reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency. If it’s too thin, let it simmer uncovered for a few more minutes.to taste Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Add the drained, cooked pasta directly into the pot with the lentil mixture. Stir gently to coat the pasta evenly with the lentil sauce. Allow the pasta and lentil mixture to simmer together for another 1-2 minutes, allowing the pasta to absorb some of the delicious sauce.8 ounces pasta of your choice
- Serve the Delicious Pasta With Lentils hot. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley or basil for a pop of color and freshness, a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese for extra savoriness, and a final drizzle of extra virgin olive oil for added richness, if desired.fresh parsley or basil, grated Parmesan cheese, extra virgin olive oil