Hearty baked dish with protein-rich lentils, seasonal vegetables, and aromatic herbs for wholesome comfort.
# What You'll Need:
→ Lentils
01 - 1 cup dried green lentils, rinsed
02 - 3 cups vegetable broth
→ Vegetables
03 - 1 medium onion, diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 2 medium carrots, sliced
06 - 1 medium zucchini, diced
07 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
08 - 1 cup button mushrooms, sliced
09 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
10 - 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
→ Herbs & Seasonings
11 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
12 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
13 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
14 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
15 - ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
16 - ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
→ Topping
17 - ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese, or vegan alternative
18 - ½ cup gluten-free breadcrumbs, optional
# How To Make It:
01 - Preheat the oven to 375°F.
02 - In a medium saucepan, combine lentils and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer uncovered for 20–25 minutes until lentils are tender but not mushy. Drain any excess liquid.
03 - While lentils cook, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion and garlic for 2–3 minutes until fragrant.
04 - Add carrots, zucchini, bell pepper, and mushrooms. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5–7 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
05 - Stir in cherry tomatoes, spinach, thyme, oregano, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook for another 2–3 minutes until spinach wilts.
06 - Combine cooked lentils and sautéed vegetables in a large mixing bowl. Mix well to combine.
07 - Transfer the mixture to a greased 2-quart baking dish. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs if using.
08 - Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, until the top is golden and the casserole is bubbling.
09 - Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
