Description
Hearty Lentil Stew with Creamy Mashed Potatoes: Cozy, filling, and full of comforting flavor, this plant-based classic pairs a rich lentil stew loaded with vegetables with fluffy, buttery mashed potatoes for a nourishing, family-friendly dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1½ cups cooked green or brown lentils
- 1 can diced tomatoes (14–15 oz)
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water
- 2 lbs potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter or plant-based butter
- ½ cup milk or plant-based milk
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Start by boiling potatoes in salted water until fork-tender. Drain and mash with butter, milk, salt, and pepper. Keep warm.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet or pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery and cook until softened.
- Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add lentils, diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, thyme, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Simmer for 10–15 minutes, allowing flavors to meld.
- Stir in cornstarch slurry and cook until the stew thickens.
- Spoon creamy mashed potatoes into bowls and top generously with lentil stew. Serve warm.
Notes
- To keep it vegan, use plant-based butter and plant-based milk in the mashed potatoes.
- Leftovers refrigerate well for up to 4 days; freeze for longer storage.
- If you prefer a thicker stew, simmer a few extra minutes or add a touch more cornstarch slurry.
- Adjust thyme and paprika to suit your taste for a milder or spicier flavor.
- Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth if needed.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 456 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 37 g
- Fiber: 4.5 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: Hearty lentil stew, creamy mashed potatoes, plant-based dinner, vegan comfort food, cozy weeknight meal, lentil recipe, vegetarian dinner