30 Lentil Recipes

If you’re on the hunt for the best lentil recipes, you’re in for a delicious treat.

We’ve gathered 30 wholesome, flavor-packed lentil meals that are not only easy to make, but also rich in fiber and made with simple, everyday ingredients.

Louise and I love cooking with lentils, they’re one of our favorite pantry staples. And they are so affordable 🥳.

Lentils come in so many beautiful varieties; here is a quick overview for those of you that are new to lentils:

• Red lentils cook quickly and turn soft, making them perfect for a creamy lentil soup or a quick curry.
• Brown lentils are hearty and earthy. I love them in lentil stews and soups as they hold their shape.
• Green lentils have a subtle peppery bite that we often use in salads and veggie meatballs for a little extra depth.
• Yellow lentils are mild and ideal for silky dahls and curries.
• Black lentils, also known as beluga lentils, are small and glossy, and we love using them in salads, soups, and black lentil curry.

Whichever variety we reach for, lentils always bring a wholesome richness and a solid boost of plant-based protein to our meals. I’m very excited to share our lentil recipes with you!

1. Lentil curry

Our first lentil recipe is a creamy and rich lentil curry, a favorite dinner recipe in our home. It’s ready in 30 minutes using split red lentils and pairs with most veggies.

2. Lentil bolognese

Lentil bolognese is an excellent sauce for spaghetti, lasagna, and linguine pasta.

It’s plant-based, made with green or brown lentils, and a restaurant–worthy meal with authentic Italian flavor.

3. Lentil tabbouleh salad

This lentil tabbouleh is fantastic with pita bread and hummus for a satiating, quick meal.

4. Easy lentil pasta

This Italian lentil pasta is perfect for a tasty, easy everyday dinner and one-pot meal.

Tip: Freeze the leftovers or eat them the day after—this pasta becomes even more flavourful after a couple of days.

5. Curry lentil soup

In this comforting bowl of curry lentil soup, aromatic spices take center stage. They enhance the earthy richness of the lentils.

6. Sweet potato and lentil salad

This colorful sweet potato lentil salad features sweet potato cubes. It is perfect for lunch or a make-ahead dinner and great for potlucks and picnics.

7. Carrot salad with lentils

Our carrot lentil salad is a delicious and aromatic recipe with tender boiled carrots, fragrant ground cumin, and canned lentils.

8. Lentil soup

This lentil soup is perfect as an everyday dinner and a make–ahead meal, as you can store it for up to 4 days in the refrigerator and up to 3 months in the freezer.

It’s made with green lentils using a one–pot method. Serve it with a slice of toasted bread for an Italian–inspired dinner.

9. Lentil hummus

Try this easy and creamy lentil dip if you want a dip with your plant-based appetizer or vary your hummus routine.

10. Stuffed zucchini boats

These lentil zucchini boats fall without doubt into the healthy comfort food category.

They are nutritious, easy to make, and packed with wholesome plant-based protein.

13. Lentil vegetable soup

The lentils make the dish nutritious and fulfilling, providing texture, protein, iron, and gut-healthy fiber.

For busy weeknights, make a big batch of the soup and store it in the fridge for 3-4 days.

14. Mushroom lentil Wellington

If you’re looking for a tasty vegetarian centerpiece with lentils, this is our choice: lentil mushroom Wellington.

Served with creamy mushroom gravy and a side of green beans, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

15. Stuffed bell peppers

Next on our list is stuffed bell peppers with lentils, rice, fresh herbs, and fragrant spices.

The aromatic filling absorbs the juice of the bell peppers, and the combination of flavors and textures makes this recipe an irresistible vegetarian dinner.

19. Vegetarian lentil loaf

This vegetarian recipe is lovely for special occasions like Thanksgiving and Christmas. You can prep most of it in a loaf pan and bake it shortly before serving it.

20. Harira soup

Harira soup is a nourishing and fulfilling Mediterranean meal with over 20 grams of healthy, high-quality plant protein per small bowl

21. Cauliflower lentil salad

Roasted cauliflower makes the vegetable base, and we add canned lentils and drizzle with our creamy cumin dressing.

You’ll love this recipe because it combines the sweet notes of the roasted butternut squash with the savory and meaty lentil filling.

23. Lentil patties

Lentil patties are easy to make and seasoned with fresh herbs, spices, and vegetables. Prepare the lentil batter in a food processor and cook it in a skillet, oven, or air fryer.

24. Vegetarian lasagna

Vegetarian lasagna with lentils is the closest thing to authentic Italian lasagna you can get without meat.

Do lentils have protein?

Yes, lentils are an excellent source of protein.

They contain about 18-25% protein by weight, making them a valuable plant-based protein source.

Including lentils in your diet can help meet your protein needs and offer additional nutrients like fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

If you tried these lentil recipes or any other recipe on our blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let us know how it goes in the comments. We love hearing from you!