Irresistible Creamy Marry Me Lentils (Printable)

Luscious green lentils in creamy sun-dried tomato sauce with herbs, ready in 50 minutes.

# What you'll need:

→ Lentils & Main

01 - 1 cup dried green or brown lentils, rinsed
02 - 3 cups low-sodium vegetable broth

→ Vegetables & Base

03 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
04 - 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
05 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
06 - 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped
07 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

→ Sauce & Finish

08 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
09 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
10 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
11 - 1/2 cup heavy cream or full-fat coconut milk
12 - 1/3 cup grated Parmesan
13 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
14 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

# How to make it:

01 - In a medium saucepan, combine lentils and broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered until just tender, 20-25 minutes. Drain any excess liquid if needed.
02 - Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and red pepper flakes; cook another minute.
03 - Stir in oregano, thyme, and smoked paprika. Add the cooked lentils and toss to coat in the aromatic mixture.
04 - Pour in cream and Parmesan. Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring gently, until thick, creamy, and heated through, about 5 minutes.
05 - Season generously with salt and pepper. Stir in fresh basil.
06 - Serve hot, garnished with extra basil and an extra sprinkle of Parmesan if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The combination of sun-dried tomatoes and cream creates a restaurant-worthy sauce in under an hour
  • Its one of those rare vegetarian dishes that even confirmed meat-lovers ask for seconds of
  • The recipe is incredibly forgiving, making it perfect for weeknight cooking when youre tired
02 -
  • Drain the lentils well before adding them to the skillet, or your sauce will never thicken properly
  • Sun-dried tomatoes vary in saltiness, so always taste before adding extra salt to the final dish
03 -
  • Chop your sun-dried tomatoes into small, even pieces so every bite gets that tangy flavor
  • Let the dish rest for 5 minutes off the heat before serving, allowing the sauce to thicken even more

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