Description
A hearty, comforting lentil stew served over a bed of creamy mashed potatoes rich with vegetables, herbs, and earthy lentils for a cozy, satisfying meal that’s both nourishing and indulgent.
Ingredients
1 tbsp olive oil
1 small onion, diced
2 carrots, diced
2 celery stalks, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup green or brown lentils, rinsed
4 cups vegetable broth
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1 bay leaf
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1 tbsp soy sauce or tamari (optional, for depth)
Fresh parsley for garnish
**For the Creamy Mashed Potatoes:**
2 lbs potatoes, peeled and chopped
3 tbsp butter (or olive oil for vegan)
1/2 cup milk or plant-based milk
Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat.
2. Add onion, carrots, and celery; sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Stir in garlic, thyme, paprika, and cumin; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Add lentils, tomato paste, broth, bay leaf, salt, and pepper.
5. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 25–30 minutes until lentils are tender.
6. Stir in soy sauce if using, and adjust seasoning to taste.
7. Remove bay leaf and keep warm.
8. Meanwhile, prepare mashed potatoes: boil potatoes in salted water until fork-tender, about 15 minutes.
9. Drain, then mash with butter and milk until smooth and creamy.
10. Season with salt and pepper.
11. Serve the lentil stew generously over a bed of mashed potatoes and garnish with fresh parsley.
Notes
Use red lentils for a quicker-cooking stew with a softer texture.
For a heartier dish, add mushrooms or chopped kale in the last 10 minutes of cooking.
Leftovers reheat beautifully — the flavors deepen overnight.
Try topping with a drizzle of olive oil or vegan gravy for extra richness.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 40 mins
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Comfort Food
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 12g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: lentil stew, mashed potatoes, hearty vegan dinner, comfort food, vegetarian stew, cozy dinner, plant-based meal