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PASTA WITH LENTILS Recipe

PASTA WITH LENTILS Recipe
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★★★★★

5 from 5 reviews

A hearty and comforting Pasta with Lentils recipe combining tender lentils, short pasta shapes, and a flavorful tomato and garlic base, simmered in broth for a satisfying vegan meal that’s both nutritious and easy to prepare.

Ingredients

Scale

Legumes & Pasta

  • 1¼ cup dried brown or green lentils, rinsed
  • 1¼ cup short pasta shapes (ditalini, elbows, orecchiette, mezzi rigatoni)

Broth & Liquids

  • 5 cups vegetable or chicken broth, plus more if needed
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil, plus more for drizzling

Vegetables & Aromatics

  • 8 cherry tomatoes, cut into halves
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 small-sized onion, diced

Seasonings & Extras

  • 1 Tbsp tomato paste
  • ¼ tsp ground cumin
  • Fine salt, to taste
  • ⅛ tsp black pepper, plus more to taste
  • Optional: grated parmesan cheese (for non-vegan), chili flakes, chopped parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Heat the oil and sauté onion: In a large pot over medium heat, warm 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the diced onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until soft and translucent.
  2. Add garlic, tomatoes, and bay leaves: Incorporate the minced garlic, halved cherry tomatoes, and bay leaves, stirring for about a minute to release their aromas. (If using canned tomatoes or only tomato paste instead of fresh tomatoes, add them in the next step.)
  3. Add lentils, spices, tomato paste, broth, and pepper: Add the rinsed lentils, ground cumin, tomato paste, vegetable or chicken broth, and black pepper to the pot. Stir to combine.
  4. Simmer the lentils: Increase heat until the mixture starts to simmer. Cover with a lid and reduce heat to medium-low. Let it simmer for 20-25 minutes or until the lentils are tender.
  5. Season to taste: Taste the mixture and adjust salt and other seasonings as desired.
  6. Add the pasta and cook: Add the short pasta to the pot and cook gently over medium heat until the pasta is al dente, stirring frequently to prevent sticking.
  7. Adjust consistency: If the stew becomes too thick, add a little water or broth gradually to thin it to your preferred consistency. Note that the longer it sits, the thicker it will get. Taste and adjust seasoning again if needed before serving.
  8. Serve and garnish: Serve the pasta with lentils hot, drizzled with olive oil, freshly ground black pepper, and grated parmesan cheese if desired. Garnish with chili flakes and chopped parsley for extra flavor and enjoy!

Notes

  • If using canned tomatoes or only tomato paste instead of fresh cherry tomatoes, add them in step 3 with the lentils and broth.
  • The longer the dish sits on the stove, the thicker it gets; add broth or water to adjust the consistency as needed.
  • Optional garnishes like parmesan cheese, chili flakes, and chopped parsley enhance flavor but can be omitted for vegan preferences.
  • Use vegetable broth for a fully vegan version; chicken broth will add richer flavor but is not vegan.
  • Stir frequently after adding pasta to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta with lentils, vegan pasta recipe, lentil stew, easy Italian pasta, healthy pasta dish

Find it online: https://victoriablair.com/pasta-with-lentils-recipe/