Healthy Living

Lentils are not only delicious—they’re a budget-friendly pantry staple that are packed with protein and fiber. These lentil recipes are a great option for dinner, receiving four- and five-star ratings from the EatingWell readers who’ve tried them. From our Marry Me Lentils to our Braised Black Lentil & Quinoa Bowls, these recipes are a meal that everyone at your table will love.

01 of 16

Roasted Squash & Lentil Kale Salad

This squash lentil salad packs 11 grams of fiber and features plenty of kale, a powerful prebiotic that helps set the stage for a healthy gut. This salad can be assembled in a Mason jar so you can prep it the night before for a healthy, grab-and-go lunch the next day.

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02 of 16

Marry Me Lentils

This Marry Me Lentils recipe is a plant-based twist on the classic Marry Me Chicken, featuring tender lentils simmered in a creamy sun-dried tomato and garlic sauce. Packed with protein and fiber, this dish delivers a rich, comforting texture using lentils in place of chicken. We love sopping up the sauce with toasted whole-grain bread, but feel free to pair it with brown rice, quinoa or whole-wheat pasta instead.

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03 of 16

Lemony Lentil & Cauliflower Cup Soup

This bright lemony soup gets its boost of fiber and earthy, nutty flavor from ingredients like lentils and bulgur. Bulgur adds heartiness and a nice chewy texture, but you can swap it out for another cooked grain like brown rice or quinoa. Plus, the broth gets gentle heat from harissa paste. If you don’t wish to travel with vegetable broth or don’t have access to a microwave, you can use reduced-sodium bouillon instead and just add hot water.

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04 of 16

High-Protein Butternut Squash & Lentil Soup

This hearty, plant-based soup is packed with protein from lentils and gets cozy flavors from warming spices like cinnamon, cumin and coriander. A swirl of tangy Greek yogurt and a sprinkle of fresh parsley finish each bowl with brightness and creaminess. Serve with lemon wedges for an extra pop of flavor.

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05 of 16

Harira (Moroccan Tomato, Lentil & Beef Soup)

Harira is a tomato-based soup featured at the center of many Moroccan tables during the month of Ramadan. It’s often enjoyed as part of iftar—the meal served to break the fast each evening—along with dates, milk, hard-boiled eggs, semolina pancakes and chebakia (sesame cookies). This version features chickpeas, lentils, beef and noodles in a fragrant tomato broth, but there are endless variations on the soup.

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06 of 16

Braised Black Lentil & Quinoa Bowls

These healthy vegetarian bowls feature black lentils braised in spices like thyme and smoked paprika. Riced cauliflower and quinoa bulk up the dish to make it satisfying for any weeknight dinner. A creamy yogurt topping finishes the recipe.

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07 of 16

Sausage & Lentil Soup

This hearty sausage and lentil soup is flavorful and filling. Precooked lentils, steamed lentils or canned lentils all work well in this earthy fall soup.

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08 of 16

Lemony Lentil & Chard Soup

This satisfying lemony bowlful was inspired by the lentil soup served at the now-closed Lebanese restaurant La Shish in West Bloomfield, Michigan. It keeps well but will thicken, so you may want to thin it with a bit of water or broth when reheating. Serve with warm whole-wheat pita.

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09 of 16

Air-Fryer Stuffed Potatoes with Lentil Stew

There's no need to turn on your oven for baked potatoes when you can save time and use your air fryer. This recipe is a great base for air-fried whole potatoes, and here we top ours with a cozy spiced lentil stew, but you can get creative with topping ideas (see Tip).

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10 of 16

One-Pot Lentils & Rice with Spinach

This hearty vegan dish gets its earthy flavor from cumin and brown rice. If you can handle extra heat, try doubling the crushed red pepper for a bigger punch of flavor.

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11 of 16

Koshari (Egyptian Lentils, Rice & Pasta)

This kitchen-sink of a vegetarian dish was most likely invented in Egypt in the mid-1800s when Cairo was a major multicultural trade port, which could explain the similarities to Italian spaghetti as well as the Indian rice-and-lentil comfort food khichdi. Three toppings--a spicy tomato sauce (shatta), crispy onions and a garlicky vinegar (dakka)--are added to the koshari before serving, but in Cairo most people like them in separate bowls so they can season their bites one at a time. (Recipe adapted from Zooba Restaurant.)

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12 of 16

Daal Tarka (Spiced Lentils)

Variations of daal (or dal) and tarka (or tadka)—a mixture of aromatics, vegetables and spices spooned over the top of the daal for extra flavor—are served throughout the Indian subcontinent and parts of southeast Asia. This version is served at Nepali Mountain Kitchen, part of the Mango House community in Aurora, Colorado. Give the dish a generous stir before digging in to ensure the tarka gets thoroughly incorporated.

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13 of 16

Roasted Root Veggies & Greens over Spiced Lentils

This earthy bowl of lentils is topped with leftover roasted root veggies from a large batch for an easy weeknight dinner. Keep it vegan or add a drizzle of plain yogurt for extra richness.

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14 of 16

Squash & Red Lentil Curry

This healthy red lentil curry recipe has a rich flavor and complexity that tastes like it takes hours to prepare. Butternut squash and coconut milk combine with the lentils to make a hearty vegetarian dish. Serve with brown rice or naan bread.

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15 of 16

Instant Pot Lentil Soup

This Instant Pot lentil soup is quick enough to prepare when you get home from work for an easy weeknight dinner. This vegetarian soup recipe is full of aromatic vegetables, brown lentils and fresh spinach. A splash of balsamic vinegar brightens the flavor, and a garnish of radish and parsley gives this comforting soup a fresh finish.

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16 of 16

Slow-Cooker Creamy Lentil Soup Freezer Pack

Prep the ingredients for this soup months in advance for a total hands-off meal that's ready when you are. Vegetarian lentils and vegan coconut milk make this soup creamy and pack in plenty of plant-based protein and a hearty amount of fiber. To keep it vegan, opt for vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.

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