Pasta with Lentils
A comforting and nutritious meal combining lentils and pasta, perfect for sharing with family and friends. Easy to prepare and budget-friendly.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1.25 cup dried brown or green lentils, rinsed Can substitute with canned lentils for quicker preparation.
- 1.25 cup short pasta shapes (ditalini, elbows, orecchiette, mezzi rigatoni) Any short pasta will work, including whole wheat or gluten-free.
- 5 cups vegetable or chicken broth Homemade broth works brilliantly, or use water if necessary.
- 8 pieces cherry tomatoes, cut into halves Canned tomatoes or paste can be used if fresh are unavailable.
- 1 Tbsp olive oil, plus more for drizzling Can substitute with vegetable oil if necessary.
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 Tbsp tomato paste
- 1/4 tsp ground cumin
- to taste fine salt Add salt after lentils are cooked.
- 1/8 tsp black pepper, plus more to taste
Instructions
Preparation
- In a large pot, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the diced onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until translucent.
- Incorporate the minced garlic and halved cherry tomatoes, stirring for about one minute.
- Add the rinsed lentils, ground cumin, tomato paste, and your chosen broth to the pot.
- Raise the heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Cover the pot and reduce the heat to medium-low.
- Allow the lentils to cook for about 20-25 minutes, or until they are tender.
- Taste the stew and adjust the seasoning with salt and black pepper.
- Stir in your short pasta and cook gently over medium heat until the pasta is al dente.
- If the mixture appears too thick, add more broth or water until the desired consistency is reached.
- Give the dish another taste and adjust seasonings as needed before serving.
- Drizzle with olive oil, freshly ground black pepper, and garnish with chili flakes and chopped parsley.
Notes
Use low-sodium broth to control salt intake. For a deeper flavor, consider adding a bay leaf while cooking the lentils. Don't skip the drizzle of good quality olive oil before serving.