Creamy Sundried Tomato Lentils for Easy Dinner
Creamy Sundried Tomato Lentils is the ultimate easy dinner recipe. After making it dozens of times, I’ve discovered the trick to the creamiest texture. This cozy, comforting dish is better than takeout and my family begs for it. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Creamy Baked Lemon Butter Chicken and Classic Columbia 1905 Salad with Ham and Swiss Cheese.
Why This Creamy Sundried Tomato Lentils for Easy Dinner Is Pure Comfort
- Perfect for busy weeknights
- Packed with protein and fiber
- Better than takeout taste
- Easy to make and customize
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 onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 cup sundried tomatoes
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- Optional: Fresh parsley
- Optional: Grated Parmesan cheese
- Optional: Red pepper flakes
📝 Ingredient Notes
- lentils: Make sure to rinse and pick over lentils before cooking.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Instant Pot — Saves time and energy → See on Amazon
- Immersion Blender — Creates smooth texture → See on Amazon
How to Make Creamy Sundried Tomato Lentils for Easy Dinner
- Sauté: Heat olive oil in a large pot. Add onion and garlic, cook until softened.
- Cook Lentils: Add lentils, sundried tomatoes, diced tomatoes, broth, thyme, oregano, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until lentils are tender.
- Blend: Use an immersion blender to partially blend the lentils, leaving some texture.
- Stir in Cream: Stir in heavy cream and cook until heated through.
- Serve: Serve hot, topped with fresh parsley, grated Parmesan, and red pepper flakes if desired.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Creamy Sundried Tomato Lentils for Easy Dinner
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the lentils or they'll become mushy. If they're not tender, add more broth and cook longer.
- Substitution: You can use vegetable or chicken broth instead of vegetable broth for a different flavor profile.
- Make-ahead: This dish can be made ahead and reheated on the stovetop or in the microwave.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
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 in the fridge 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 in individual portions for up to 3 months.
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: Sautéing the onions and garlic first adds depth of flavor to the dish.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the sundried tomatoes with fresh tomatoes if you prefer.
- Make-ahead: This dish can be made ahead and reheated, but the texture may change slightly.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If the lentils are not tender, add more broth and cook longer.
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Creamy Sundried Tomato Lentils for Easy Dinner
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup green lentils
- 1 onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 cup sundried tomatoes
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
Seasonings
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
Optional Toppings
- Fresh parsley
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Sauté: Heat olive oil in a large pot. Add onion and garlic, cook until softened.
- Cook Lentils: Add lentils, sundried tomatoes, diced tomatoes, broth, thyme, oregano, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until lentils are tender.
- Blend: Use an immersion blender to partially blend the lentils, leaving some texture.
- Stir in Cream: Stir in heavy cream and cook until heated through.
- Serve: Serve hot, topped with fresh parsley, grated Parmesan, and red pepper flakes if desired.
Notes
- Chef tip: Sautéing the onions and garlic first adds depth of flavor to the dish.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the sundried tomatoes with fresh tomatoes if you prefer.
- Make-ahead: This dish can be made ahead and reheated, but the texture may change slightly.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If the lentils are not tender, add more broth and cook longer.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze leftovers in individual portions for up to 3 months.
- 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: 12g
- Carbs: 45g
- Fiber: 15g
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Cholesterol: 35mg
- Sat. Fat: 7g
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. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Overcooking the lentils can cause them to become mushy. If they're not tender, add more broth and cook longer.
Yes, you can make this in the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
This dish pairs well with a side of crusty bread or a simple green salad.
While you can use canned lentils, they may not have the same texture as cooked from scratch. If using canned, drain and rinse before adding to the pot.
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!
