Hearty Lentil Stew with Vegetables

Warm up your soul with a comforting bowl of Hearty Lentil Stew with Vegetables, a nourishing recipe that's packed with flavor and wholesome ingredients. Featuring protein-rich lentils, vibrant vegetables like carrots, celery, and red bell pepper, and a blend of aromatic spices including cumin and thyme, this one-pot wonder is as satisfying as it is simple to make. Simmered in a rich vegetable broth and brightened with a splash of lemon juice, this stew is finished with fresh baby spinach for a boost of greens. Ready in under an hour, it’s perfect for a weeknight dinner or meal prep, serving up to six generous portions. Whether you're vegan, vegetarian, or just looking for a hearty and healthy meal, this lentil stew is sure to become a household favorite.

Nutriscore Rating: 82/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 large garlic cloves, minced
• 3 medium carrots, sliced
• 3 medium celery stalks, sliced
• 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
• 1.5 cups dried green or brown lentils, rinsed
• 6 cups vegetable broth
• 1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes, with juice
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 whole bay leaf
• 4 cups baby spinach
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the diced onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until transparent.

Step 3

Add the minced garlic, sliced carrots, celery, and diced red bell pepper. Cook for another 5 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.

Step 4

Stir in the rinsed lentils, followed by the vegetable broth and diced tomatoes with their juice.

Step 5

Season with ground cumin, dried thyme, and add the bay leaf.

Step 6

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for about 30 minutes, or until the lentils are tender.

Step 7

Remove the bay leaf and stir in the baby spinach, allowing it to wilt.

Step 8

Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Stir in the lemon juice to brighten the flavors.

Step 9

Serve the stew hot, garnished with additional black pepper if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2727.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1385.9

Total Fat 43.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 7.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 7.0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 5985.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 199.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 57.0g	0%
Total Sugars 49.8g
Protein 63.3g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 577.1mg	0%
Iron 25.6mg	0%
Potassium 5453.9mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 27.2%

Protein: 17.5%

Carbs: 55.3%