Italian Lentil Vegetable Stew Crock Pot
Warm and hearty, this Italian Lentil Vegetable Stew is a slow-cooked comfort food classic packed with wholesome ingredients and Mediterranean flavors. Made effortlessly in your crock pot, this nutritious dish combines tender green or brown lentils with a medley of fresh vegetables like carrots, celery, zucchini, and leafy greens, all simmered in a savory tomato-based broth infused with aromatic herbs like oregano, basil, and a hint of smoked paprika. Perfect for meal prep or a cozy family dinner, this plant-based stew is not only rich in protein and fiber but also incredibly versatile—serve it with crusty bread, pasta, or rice for a satisfying, well-rounded meal. Ready in just 15 minutes of prep time, it’s the ultimate one-pot recipe for busy weeknights or leisurely weekends.
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Ingredients
- 1 cup Green or brown lentils
- 3 medium Carrots, diced
- 3 Celery stalks, diced
- 1 medium Yellow onion, diced
- 3 Garlic cloves, minced
- 1 medium Zucchini, chopped
- 1 15-ounce can Diced tomatoes (canned, with juice)
- 4 cups Vegetable broth
- 2 tablespoons Tomato paste
- 2 Bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon Dried basil
- 0.5 teaspoon Smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 2 cups Spinach or kale, chopped
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil (optional, for added richness)
Directions
Step 1
Rinse the lentils thoroughly under cold water to remove any debris and set them aside.
Step 2
In the crock pot, add the diced carrots, celery, onion, garlic, and zucchini.
Step 3
Add the rinsed lentils, canned diced tomatoes (including the juice), and vegetable broth to the crock pot.
Step 4
Stir in the tomato paste, bay leaves, dried oregano, dried basil, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to combine all the ingredients.
Step 5
Cover the crock pot with the lid and set it to cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours, until the lentils are tender and the vegetables are cooked through.
Step 6
About 15-20 minutes before the cooking time is complete, stir in the chopped spinach or kale. Allow it to wilt into the stew while still cooking.
Step 7
If desired, drizzle olive oil over the stew for added richness before serving.
Step 8
Remove the bay leaves and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed before serving.
Step 9
Serve the stew warm with crusty bread, pasta, or over rice for a complete meal.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (2578.2g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 1092.7 |
| Total Fat 26.0g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 4.5g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 2.9g | |
| Cholesterol 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium 5904.5mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 181.7g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 52.4g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 60.1g | |
| Protein 52.7g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 0IU | 0% |
| Calcium 667.5mg | 0% |
| Iron 20.6mg | 0% |
| Potassium 6511.2mg | 0% |
Source of Calories