Easy Cozy Mujadara Lentils and Rice Recipe for Dinner
Easy Mujadara Recipe: This cozy, hearty Middle Eastern dish is packed with protein and fiber, making it a perfect better-than-takeout dinner option. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to perfectly cooked lentils every time. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Street Corn Chicken Bowl Recipe with Rice and Classic Boston Cream Pie Recipe with Vanilla Custard and Chocolate.
Why This Easy Cozy Mujadara Lentils and Rice Recipe for Dinner Is Pure Comfort
- Packed with protein and fiber for a filling dinner
- Ready in under 30 minutes for a quick weeknight meal
- Better than takeout and freezes well for meal prep
- Versatile – serve with a side salad or as a base for your favorite toppings
What You'll Need for Easy Cozy Mujadara Lentils and Rice Recipe for Dinner
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 1 cup green or brown lentils
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp coriander
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Optional: Chopped fresh parsley
- Optional: Lemon wedges
- Optional: Crumbled feta cheese
📝 Ingredient Notes
- lentils: Rinse and pick over lentils to remove any debris.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Instant Pot — Saves time and energy by cooking lentils and rice together in one pot. → See on Amazon
- High-quality vegetable broth — Enhances the flavor of the dish, making it taste homemade. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Cozy Mujadara Lentils and Rice Recipe for Dinner
- Step 1: In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, cooking until softened.
- Step 2: Add lentils, rice, diced tomatoes (with juice), vegetable broth, cumin, coriander, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine.
- Step 3: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and let simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until lentils and rice are tender.
- Step 4: Fluff with a fork and serve with your choice of toppings. Enjoy!
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Cozy Mujadara Lentils and Rice Recipe for Dinner
- : For a thinner stew-like consistency, add more vegetable broth or water.
- Common mistake and fix: Avoid overcooking the lentils. They should be tender but still hold their shape. If they become mushy, your dish will be too thick and may have an unpleasant texture.
- : To make this dish ahead, cook and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.
- : For a spicier version, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a diced jalapeño to the pot when cooking the onions and garlic.
Storing & Reheating Easy Cozy Mujadara Lentils and Rice Recipe for Dinner
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Make-ahead tip: This dish can be made ahead and reheated as needed.
Freezing Easy Cozy Mujadara Lentils and Rice Recipe for Dinner
Freeze individual portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes, or until warmed through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, or until warmed through. Stir halfway through heating.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a more traditional mujadara, cook the lentils and rice separately and mix them together before serving.
- Best substitution: Quinoa can be substituted for the rice for a gluten-free version.
- Make-ahead: Cook and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the lentils are not tender after 25 minutes, add more water or vegetable broth and continue cooking until tender.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality olive oil — Enhances the flavor of the dish and helps prevent the lentils from sticking to the pot. → Check price on Amazon
Easy Cozy Mujadara Lentils and Rice Recipe for Dinner
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup green or brown lentils
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 4 cups vegetable broth
Seasonings
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp coriander
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Optional Toppings
- Chopped fresh parsley
- Lemon wedges
- Crumbled feta cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, cooking until softened.
- Step 2: Add lentils, rice, diced tomatoes (with juice), vegetable broth, cumin, coriander, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine.
- Step 3: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and let simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until lentils and rice are tender.
- Step 4: Fluff with a fork and serve with your choice of toppings. Enjoy!
Notes
- Chef tip: For a more traditional mujadara, cook the lentils and rice separately and mix them together before serving.
- Best substitution: Quinoa can be substituted for the rice for a gluten-free version.
- Make-ahead: Cook and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the lentils are not tender after 25 minutes, add more water or vegetable broth and continue cooking until tender.
Storage
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze individual portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes, or until warmed through.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, or until warmed through. Stir halfway through heating.
- Make ahead: This dish can be made ahead and reheated as needed.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 20g
- Fat: 7g
- Carbs: 75g
- Fiber: 15g
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sat. Fat: 1g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Cozy Mujadara Lentils and Rice Recipe for Dinner FAQs
Yes, you can make this dish ahead and store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Overcooking the lentils can cause them to become mushy. To prevent this, cook them until they are tender but still hold their shape.
Yes, you can freeze individual portions of this dish for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Yes, this dish is packed with protein and fiber, making it a healthy and filling dinner option.
Yes, you can make this dish in the Instant Pot by combining all ingredients and cooking on high pressure for 8-10 minutes, followed by a natural release.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Cozy Mujadara Lentils and Rice Recipe for 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!
