Creamy Sundried Tomato Lentils – Better Than Takeout
Creamy Sundried Tomato Lentils – A hearty, comforting dinner ready in 30 minutes. After making this many times, I’ve perfected the creamiest, most flavorful lentils you’ll ever taste. The trick I discovered is using a combination of sundried tomatoes and tomato paste for an intense, rich flavor. This dish is cozy and comforting, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Crab Rangoon Pinwheels with Puff Pastry and Creamy Crockpot Marry Me Chicken Recipe for Easy Dinner.
Why This Creamy Sundried Tomato Lentils – Better Than Takeout Is Pure Comfort
- Packed with protein and fiber
- Ready in just 30 minutes
- Better than takeout, cheaper too
- Versatile – serve with pasta, rice, or as is
What You'll Need for Creamy Sundried Tomato Lentils – Better Than Takeout
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- Green lentils
- Sundried tomatoes
- Onion
- Garlic
- Vegetable broth
- Tomato paste
- Smoked paprika
- Oregano
- Salt
- Pepper
- Optional: Fresh parsley
- Optional: Red pepper flakes
- Optional: Crumbled feta
đź“ť Ingredient Notes
- Green lentils: Make sure to rinse and pick over lentils before cooking.
đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Instant Pot — Saves time and energy, cooks lentils in half the time. → See on Amazon
- Immersion blender — Makes creamy lentils without a blender or food processor. → See on Amazon
How to Make Creamy Sundried Tomato Lentils – Better Than Takeout
- Sauté onion and garlic: In a large pot, sauté onion and garlic until softened.
- Cook lentils: Add lentils, sundried tomatoes, vegetable broth, and seasonings. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until lentils are tender.
- Blend until creamy: Use an immersion blender to blend half the lentils until creamy. Stir in tomato paste and adjust seasonings.
- Serve: Serve hot, topped with fresh parsley, red pepper flakes, and crumbled feta if desired.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Creamy Sundried Tomato Lentils – Better Than Takeout
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook lentils. They become mushy and lose their texture. To prevent this, cook until tender but still firm to the bite.
- Pro tip: For a smoother texture, blend all the lentils. For a heartier dish, leave some lentils whole.
- Pro tip: Add a splash of vinegar at the end of cooking to brighten the flavors.
Storing & Reheating Creamy Sundried Tomato Lentils – Better Than Takeout
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Make-ahead tip: This dish can be made ahead and reheated for a quick dinner.
Freezing Creamy Sundried Tomato Lentils – Better Than Takeout
Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 15-20 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- Best substitution: Substitute the sundried tomatoes with sun-dried tomato paste for a similar flavor.
- Make-ahead: This dish can be made ahead and reheated for a quick dinner.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If lentils are still hard after cooking, they need more time. If they're mushy, they've been overcooked.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality vegetable broth — Enhances the flavor of the lentils, pays for itself vs takeout. → Check price on Amazon
Creamy Sundried Tomato Lentils – Better Than Takeout
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Green lentils
- Sundried tomatoes
- Onion
- Garlic
- Vegetable broth
Seasonings
- Tomato paste
- Smoked paprika
- Oregano
- Salt
- Pepper
Optional Toppings
- Fresh parsley
- Red pepper flakes
- Crumbled feta
Instructions
- Sauté onion and garlic: In a large pot, sauté onion and garlic until softened.
- Cook lentils: Add lentils, sundried tomatoes, vegetable broth, and seasonings. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until lentils are tender.
- Blend until creamy: Use an immersion blender to blend half the lentils until creamy. Stir in tomato paste and adjust seasonings.
- Serve: Serve hot, topped with fresh parsley, red pepper flakes, and crumbled feta if desired.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- Best substitution: Substitute the sundried tomatoes with sun-dried tomato paste for a similar flavor.
- Make-ahead: This dish can be made ahead and reheated for a quick dinner.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If lentils are still hard after cooking, they need more time. If they're mushy, they've been overcooked.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 15-20 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Make ahead: This dish can be made ahead and reheated for a quick dinner.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 20g
- Fat: 5g
- Carbs: 55g
- Fiber: 15g
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sat. Fat: 1g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Creamy Sundried Tomato Lentils – Better Than Takeout FAQs
Yes, this dish can be made ahead and reheated for a quick dinner. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Lentils become mushy when they're overcooked. To prevent this, cook until tender but still firm to the bite.
Yes, freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
No, this recipe is best made on the stovetop or in the Instant Pot.
Substitute with sun-dried tomato paste for a similar flavor.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Creamy Sundried Tomato Lentils – Better Than Takeout and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
