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Delicious Pasta With Lentils

Delicious Pasta With Lentils

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.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Cooking Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 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)
  • to taste Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 8 ounces pasta of your choice (penne, rotini, or elbow macaroni work well)
Optional garnishes
  • fresh parsley or basil
  • grated Parmesan cheese
  • extra virgin olive oil a drizzle

Equipment

  • Large pot or Dutch oven
  • Separate pot

Method
 

  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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.
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. 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

Notes

Leftover Delicious Pasta With Lentils can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, gently warm on the stovetop over low heat or microwave. It also freezes well for up to 2-3 months.