Description
Craving something hearty, healthy, and easy to prepare? This Nutritious Lentil Pasta Dish is a plant-based powerhouse packed with fiber, protein, and robust Italian flavors. Perfect for a quick dinner, healthy lunch prep, or anyone seeking easy dinner ideas with a twist. A satisfying mix of green lentils and pasta simmered in a rich tomato base, this is one of those easy recipes that makes you feel good from the first bite to the last. Ideal for busy weeknights and nourishing food ideas.
Ingredients
3/4 cup green or brown lentils
8 ounces rigatoni pasta
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 yellow onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 medium carrot, finely chopped
14 ounces canned diced tomatoes
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 cups vegetable broth
1 bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
Salt and black pepper to taste
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
1. Rinse the lentils under cold water and set aside.
2. Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, and carrot and sauté for 5–7 minutes.
3. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
4. Add diced tomatoes, lentils, broth, bay leaf, thyme, salt, and pepper.
5. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer 25–30 minutes until lentils are tender.
6. Cook pasta separately in salted water until al dente, then drain.
7. Remove bay leaf from sauce and adjust seasoning.
8. Combine pasta with lentil mixture and let sit 2–3 minutes before serving.
Notes
Use green or brown lentils for best texture; red lentils will become mushy.
Cook pasta separately to maintain proper structure.
Add extra broth during simmering if the sauce thickens too much.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 14g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 0mg