Irresistible Creamy Marry Me Lentils (Printable)
Comforting lentils in creamy sun-dried tomato sauce with herbs, ready in under an hour.
# What You 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
12 - 1/3 cup grated Parmesan
13 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
14 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
# Steps:
01 - Combine lentils and broth in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered until lentils are just tender, 20-25 minutes. Drain any excess liquid.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook until softened and translucent, 3-4 minutes. Stir in minced garlic, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and red pepper flakes; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Sprinkle in dried oregano, thyme, and smoked paprika. Add the cooked, drained lentils to the skillet and toss gently to coat evenly in the aromatic vegetable mixture.
04 - Pour in heavy cream and sprinkle with grated Parmesan. Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring gently, until the sauce thickens and coats the lentils, about 5 minutes.
05 - Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Stir in chopped fresh basil until combined.
06 - Serve hot in bowls, garnished with additional fresh basil leaves and an extra sprinkle of Parmesan if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Its the kind of comfort food that somehow feels luxurious while being incredibly budget-friendly
- The sauce is so luscious and satisfying that nobody notices theyre eating something healthy
02 -
- The sauce will continue thickening as it sits, so dont panic if it looks slightly loose in the pan
- Coconut milk works beautifully but gives a slightly sweeter finish that pairs perfectly with the tomatoes
03 -
- Chop your sun-dried tomatoes slightly smaller than you think you need so they distribute evenly throughout
- Save the oil from the sun-dried tomato jar and drizzle it over the finished dish for extra flavor