30 Lentil Recipes for Easy Dinners and Lunches

These 30 lentil recipes are full of the flavors we love: creamy curries, rich Italian sauces, cozy soups, and colorful salads that make lunch worth looking forward to (for real).

Louise and I cook with lentils often, and canned lentils are one of our favorite shortcuts. They save time in recipes that call for cooked lentils, helping you get a satisfying meal on the table with less prep.

This collection brings together everyday meals, make-ahead favorites, and a few special dishes for sharing. Start with a fresh lentil salad, a comforting bowl of pasta, or our 30-minute red lentil curry—there’s plenty to choose from.

Our favorite lentil recipes

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. Greek lentil salad

Our Greek lentil salad is packed with protein, fiber, and bold Mediterranean flavors, with lentils marinated in a zesty dressing for extra flavor in every bite.

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.

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. French lentil soup

This French lentil soup gives you a simple, nourishing one-pot dinner with tender lentils, hearty vegetables, and plenty of cozy flavor.

21. Cauliflower lentil salad

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

This Mediterranean lentil and orzo recipe makes a cozy, high-protein one-pot meal packed with fiber, veggies, and Mediterranean flavor — ready in just 30 minutes for a healthy weeknight dinner.

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.

Which lentils should I choose?

• Brown and green lentils work well when you want texture in salads, sauces, and hearty mains.

• Split red and yellow lentils are useful for soft, creamy soups, curries, and dal.

• For black lentil recipes, use the specific variety listed in the recipe.

Questions About Lentil Recipes

Can I substitute canned lentils for dried?

Sometimes, but the amount of liquid and cooking time may need to change. Look for the canned-lentil option in the individual recipe so you can use the shortcut with confidence.

Which recipes are ready in 30 minutes?

Try our lentil curry, red lentil soup, or Turkish lentil soup. Each is a comforting option for a busy evening.

Which recipes can I make ahead?

Start with sweet potato and lentil salad, lentil vegetable soup, or lentil loaf. Check the individual recipe for preparation and storage instructions so you can plan around your schedule.

Do lentils have protein?

Yes, lentils provide plant-based protein and fiber. Check the nutrition information on each recipe for an estimate per serving.

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!