Description
A hearty, nutritious, and incredibly easy One-Pot Pasta with Lentils recipe that minimizes cleanup. Perfect for busy weeknights!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup dried brown or green lentils, rinsed and picked over
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, plus more to taste
- 8 ounces dried pasta (such as penne, rotini, or farfalle)
- 1 cup fresh spinach (optional)
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- 1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
- 2. Add the minced garlic to the pot and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- 3. Stir in the rinsed lentils, vegetable broth, diced tomatoes (with their juice), Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- 4. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the lentils are slightly tender but not fully cooked.
- 5. Add the dried pasta to the pot. Stir to ensure all the pasta is submerged in the liquid. If it looks too dry, you can add an extra 1/2 cup of broth or water.
- 6. Cover the pot again and continue to cook for 10-15 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente and most of the liquid has been absorbed, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. The sauce should have thickened nicely from the pasta starch.
- 7. If using, stir in the fresh spinach during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking, allowing it to wilt into the pasta.
- 8. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
Notes
Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat on the stovetop with a splash of water or broth, or in the microwave.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: Approx. 350-400 (will vary based on exact ingredients and serving size)
- Sugar: Approx. 5-8g
- Sodium: Varies based on broth and added salt
- Fat: Approx. 8-12g
- Carbohydrates: Approx. 50-60g
- Fiber: Approx. 10-15g
- Protein: Approx. 15-20g