If you want to eat more lentils but don’t want another bowl of soup, you’re in the right place.
These easy lentil dinners turn the humble legume into creamy curries, hearty pasta, Mediterranean salads, burgers, meatballs, stuffed vegetables, and more.
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Louise and I have cooked more than 70 lentil recipes for this website, and if there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that lentils are far more versatile than they get credit for.
So we picked 17 of our favorite lentil dinners that aren’t soup — satisfying recipes you can actually build a meal around.
Most are easy enough for a weeknight, several are great for meal prep, and there are plenty of wholesome, protein-rich options when you’re trying to plan healthier dinners.
Note on lentils: For almost all of these recipes, you can use either cooked-from-dry lentils or canned lentils. Canned saves time on busy nights (just drain and rinse), while cooking lentils from dry gives you better texture and costs less per serving. We use both in our kitchen, depending on the recipe and the season.
This lentil bolognese has 22g protein per serving, no meat required. We make it on weeknights when we want a high-protein pasta dinner in less than 30 minutes.
Think of this as a protein-packed cousin of Greek salad; olives, cucumbers, tomatoes, and feta tossed with hearty lentils. Louise and I often meal prep it on Sundays because it keeps beautifully for lunches.
Roasted eggplant and tender lentils come together in a spiced coconut curry sauce. A cozy one-pot meal that’s filling yet veggie-packed.
Hearty patties made from lentils, parmesan cheese, and spices. Serve in a bun or with a side of tzatziki sauce for a dinner that feels indulgent but is packed with fiber.
Our twist on the Middle Eastern classic tabbouleh swaps bulgur for lentils. Fresh, lemony, and protein-rich, perfect as a light dinner or part of a mezze spread.
French lentils are tossed with roasted carrots, cumin, and split almonds. It’s satisfying enough for dinner and doubles as meal prep for the week.
Everything cooks in one pot; pasta, lentils, and cherry tomatoes. Minimal dishes, maximum flavor, and ready in under 30 minutes.
A Middle Eastern classic of lentils, rice, and caramelized onions. It looks humble, but it’s one of those dishes that disappears faster than we expect every single time. My Italian dad even asks for seconds when we make it!
Smoky, hearty, and perfect for fall. Adding lentils to chili makes it thick, protein-packed, and budget-friendly. Serve with pickled red onions and brown rice for a satiating dinner.
10. Stuffed Peppers with Lentils
Bell peppers stuffed with lentils, rice, and herbs. We bake these in batches and reheat for easy weeknight dinners, and Louise loves it with yogurt tahini sauce.
Protein-packed vegetarian meatballs are excellent on their own or served in a rich marinara sauce. They are fantastic over spaghetti or tucked into subs (or as a quick snack before the gym).
12. Mediterranean Lentil Quinoa Skillet
Lentils and quinoa simmer with Mediterranean vegetables and herbs for an easy, protein-rich skillet dinner. It’s wholesome, filling, and especially useful when you want a complete meal in one pan.
The plant-based answer to meatloaf: lentils, veggies, and Italian herbs baked into a savory loaf. Slice it up with garlic mashed potatoes on the side, and you’ve got comfort food at its finest.
14. Best Lentil Curry (Reader Favorite)
This one has been cooked hundreds of times by our readers. Louise and I love it with Naan bread to scoop up every last bit of sauce, and our community keeps coming back to it with 5-star reviews.
Hollowed-out zucchini stuffed with a lentil-tomato mix and baked until tender. Fun to eat, surprisingly filling, and a great way to sneak in extra veggies.
Flaky puff pastry wrapped around a savory filling of mushrooms, walnuts, and lentils. It looks fancy, but it’s actually easy, perfect for dinner parties or holiday tables.
French lentils hold their shape beautifully, making them perfect for a hearty salad. Tossed with crisp vegetables, fresh herbs, and a tangy Dijon dressing, this one is fresh and satisfying enough for dinner, and it keeps well for meal prep.
More non-soup lentil recipes
- Sweet potato lentil patties
- Lentil quinoa salad
- Mediterranean lentils and rice
- One-pot lentils and orzo
30-minute meals
Lentil Sweet Potato Patties (Easy and Healthy)
30-minute meals
Mediterranean Lentil and Orzo (30-Minute One-Pot Dinner)
Salads
Quinoa Lentil Salad
30-minute meals
Easy Mediterranean Lentils And Rice (Healthy in 30 Minutes)
Frequently Asked Questions about lentils
What type of lentils should I use?
Think of lentils like shoes; you pick the pair that fits the occasion. Red lentils melt into creamy curries and soups (see our guide on how to cook red lentils), while brown and green lentils hold their shape for salads, burgers, and loaves (learn how to cook brown lentils). Black lentils (beluga) are the little black dress of lentils; elegant and always a good choice.
Can I meal prep lentil dinners?
Yes. Lentil curries, chili, bolognese, patties, and grain bowls are all great for making ahead. Salads made with brown, green, or French lentils also hold their texture well in the fridge, making them especially useful for lunches and quick dinners throughout the week.
Are lentils filling enough for dinner?
Yes. We like pairing lentils with vegetables and something substantial such as pasta, rice, quinoa, potatoes, or bread. Add a flavorful sauce, dressing, cheese, yogurt, nuts, or seeds, and you can turn simple lentils into a satisfying complete meal.
What should I serve with lentil dinners?
We keep it simple. Naan or rice with curry, a crisp green salad next to lentil burgers, or roasted squash and kale alongside pasta and chili. Honestly, lentils play well with whatever’s in season; especially fall veggies like mushrooms, carrots, and Brussels sprouts.
More Legume Recipes You’ll Love
If you’re as into lentils as we are, don’t stop here! We’ve got whole collections and comfort-food classics that our readers love:
If you tried one of 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!
What are French lentils. Ive never heard of them before!
Hi Diana,
So, French lentils are small green lentils that hold their shape really well when cooked, so they’re especially nice in salads and side dishes. You may also see them sold as French green lentils or Lentilles du Puy. Regular green or brown lentils are usually a perfectly good substitute too 🙂
Warmest,
Louise
I will definitely try them all as I love lentils and I normally do a quick meal lentils with braised cabbage, it’s my go to easy meal. Thank you so much for sharing these yummy dishes
Thank you for the collection. I am just moving into the direction of less meat, having been a meat eater for seven decades. I love lentil soups, but it’s awfully nice to have something else to do with them, too.
Really looking forward to having these recipies. Thanks
I’ve been asked to get more protein in my diet and one of the options is to eat more lentils (which I have not cared for in the past). So after looking over your informative posts, I am determined to find AT LEAST one lentil recipe that I enjoy and can make on a regular basis. So, thank you! Hope to let you know how it turns out.
Hi Sarah,
I love that goal 🙂 Lentils can be surprisingly versatile, and their texture changes quite a bit from recipe to recipe. I really hope you find one that changes your mind here!!
Happy cooking!
Louise
Ho w do we get the actual recipe
Hi Robert,
Each recipe is linked with the title (and is underlined). So for example, the lentil bolognese – you click the “lentil bolognese” sub-title for the recipe.
Kindest,
Louise
Thank you great article. I am on a health kick and this came in so handy. Thanks!!!!
Love lentils! I will try to make most of them. They all look fantastic. Thank you
Fantastic, Marta!! I’m so happy that you like the choice of recipes. Thanks for commenting!
Restaurants, that serve lentils recipes in LA county areà, southern California
I have cooked lentil dal for 50 years and look forward toʻ using some of your recipes. I want to try the lentil loaf.