Creamy Sundried Tomato Lentils for Easy Dinner
Creamy Sundried Tomato Lentils for Easy Dinner is an irresistible, cozy, and protein-packed meal that’s ready in just 30 minutes. After making this many times, I discovered the trick to the creamiest texture is to blend half the lentils. The result is a comforting, hearty dinner that’s perfect for winter nights. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese and Easy Spicy Honey Soy Sauce.
Why This Creamy Sundried Tomato Lentils for Easy Dinner Is Pure Comfort
- Creamy texture without dairy
- Packed with protein and fiber
- Ready in just 30 minutes
- Cozy and comforting for winter nights
What You'll Need for Creamy Sundried Tomato Lentils for Easy Dinner
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 1 cup green lentils
- 1 cup sundried tomatoes
- 1 onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- Vegetable broth
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
- Red pepper flakes
- Vegan cream cheese
- Optional: Fresh parsley
- Optional: Balsamic glaze
- Optional: Crusty bread
đź“ť Ingredient Notes
- green lentils: Make sure to rinse them before cooking.
- sundried tomatoes: Use oil-packed for extra flavor.
đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Immersion Blender — Makes blending lentils easy and mess-free. → See on Amazon
- High-quality vegetable broth — Enhances the flavor of the lentils. → See on Amazon
How to Make Creamy Sundried Tomato Lentils for Easy Dinner
- Cook lentils: Combine lentils, onion, garlic, and vegetable broth in a pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Blend half the lentils: Drain half the lentils and blend with sundried tomatoes, diced tomatoes, and cream cheese until smooth.
- Combine and season: Mix the blended lentils back into the pot. Add salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Simmer for another 10 minutes.
- Serve: Serve hot, topped with fresh parsley and a drizzle of balsamic glaze. Enjoy with crusty bread on the side.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Creamy Sundried Tomato Lentils for Easy Dinner
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the lentils. They can become mushy and lose their texture. If they're not tender after 20 minutes, add more water and cook longer.
- Pro tip: For a smoother texture, blend all the lentils. This will make the dish more like a soup.
- Pro tip: Make a big batch and freeze leftovers for up to 3 months.
Storing & Reheating Creamy Sundried Tomato Lentils for Easy Dinner
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.
Freezing Creamy Sundried Tomato Lentils for Easy Dinner
Freeze leftovers for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicier version, add a diced jalapeño when sautéing the onions.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the lentils with chickpeas for a different texture.
- Make-ahead: This dish can be made ahead and reheated. See storage notes for details.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If the lentils are too thick, add more vegetable broth and simmer until the desired consistency is reached.
Want to level up this recipe?
Cast iron Dutch oven — Perfect for cooking lentils and keeping them warm on the table. → Check price on Amazon
Creamy Sundried Tomato Lentils for Easy Dinner
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup green lentils
- 1 cup sundried tomatoes
- 1 onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 can diced tomatoes
Seasonings
- Vegetable broth
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
- Red pepper flakes
- Vegan cream cheese
Optional Toppings
- Fresh parsley
- Balsamic glaze
- Crusty bread
Instructions
- Cook lentils: Combine lentils, onion, garlic, and vegetable broth in a pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Blend half the lentils: Drain half the lentils and blend with sundried tomatoes, diced tomatoes, and cream cheese until smooth.
- Combine and season: Mix the blended lentils back into the pot. Add salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Simmer for another 10 minutes.
- Serve: Serve hot, topped with fresh parsley and a drizzle of balsamic glaze. Enjoy with crusty bread on the side.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicier version, add a diced jalapeño when sautéing the onions.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the lentils with chickpeas for a different texture.
- Make-ahead: This dish can be made ahead and reheated. See storage notes for details.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If the lentils are too thick, add more vegetable broth and simmer until the desired consistency is reached.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze leftovers for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°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.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 18g
- Fat: 10g
- Carbs: 45g
- Fiber: 15g
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sat. Fat: 2g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Creamy Sundried Tomato Lentils for Easy Dinner FAQs
Yes, this dish can be made ahead and reheated. See storage notes for details.
You may have overcooked them. To fix, add more water and cook longer, or blend them to make a soup.
Yes, you can freeze leftovers for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Yes, you can make this in the slow cooker on low for 6-8 hours. Check the lentils for tenderness halfway through cooking.
This dish is great with crusty bread or a side salad. For a winter meal, try serving it with Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Creamy Sundried Tomato Lentils for Easy Dinner 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!
