Description
Marry Me Lentils is a flavorful and comforting dish made with red lentils, sun-dried tomatoes, kale, and a creamy broth, all topped with a cheesy garnish and served with crispy toasted baguette slices. It’s a hearty meal full of savory flavors.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1/2 cup drained julienne-cut sun-dried tomatoes in oil with herbs, chopped, plus 2 tablespoons oil from jar, divided
- 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped (1 cup)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3 medium cloves garlic, finely chopped (1 Tbsp.)
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1 cup dry red lentils, rinsed and picked over
- 3 cups reduced-sodium vegetable broth
- 3 cups chopped stemmed kale
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil, plus more for garnish
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 (1-ounce) slices crusty whole-wheat baguette, toasted
Instructions
- Heat 1 tablespoon of sun-dried tomato oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and salt and sauté until the onion is softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add the garlic, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper to the pot. Cook for another 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in the lentils, vegetable broth, and sun-dried tomatoes (both chopped and oil). Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer uncovered for about 20-25 minutes, or until the lentils are tender.
- Once the lentils are cooked, add the chopped kale and cook for an additional 5 minutes, until the kale has wilted.
- Stir in the heavy cream, fresh basil, and grated Parmesan cheese. Simmer for another 2-3 minutes to allow the flavors to combine and the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Serve the lentils in bowls, topping each with a toasted slice of baguette. Garnish with additional fresh basil and Parmesan cheese as desired.
Notes
- If you prefer a lighter version, you can substitute the heavy cream with coconut milk or a dairy-free cream alternative.
- The sun-dried tomatoes provide a rich, tangy flavor, so be sure to choose high-quality ones for the best taste.
- If you like a bit of spice, you can increase the crushed red pepper or add a few dashes of hot sauce to taste.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with a side salad or roasted vegetables for a full meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 37g
- Fiber: 13g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 30mg