Easy Mujadara Lentils and Rice Recipe for Dinner
Easy Mujadara Recipe for a comforting, hearty dinner. After making this many times, I’ve perfected the balance of lentils and rice for a filling, flavorful meal. The rich, cozy aroma will make your kitchen feel like a warm, inviting space. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy High Protein Beef and Broccoli Rice Bowls for Meal Prep and Easy Korean Gochujang Butter Salmon Rice Bowl Recipe.
Why This Easy Mujadara Lentils and Rice Recipe for Dinner Is Pure Comfort
- One-pot comfort food
- Budget-friendly and filling
- Better than takeout flavor
What You'll Need for Easy 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
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp coriander
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- Optional: Chopped fresh parsley
- Optional: Lemon wedges
- Optional: Plain yogurt or sour cream
đź“ť Ingredient Notes
- lentils: Rinse and pick over lentils before cooking.
đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Instant Pot — Cooks lentils and rice perfectly in one pot. → See on Amazon
- Good quality vegetable broth — Enhances the flavor of the lentils and rice. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Mujadara Lentils and Rice Recipe for Dinner
- Sauté onions and garlic: In a large pot, sauté onions and garlic until softened and lightly golden.
- Add spices: Stir in cumin, coriander, paprika, salt, pepper, and cayenne (if using). Cook for 1 minute.
- Add lentils and rice: Stir in lentils and rice, coating them with the spice mixture.
- Add liquid: Pour in vegetable broth and diced tomatoes. Bring to a boil.
- Simmer: Reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer for 25-30 minutes, or until lentils and rice are tender.
- Serve: Fluff with a fork, taste, and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve with optional toppings.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Mujadara Lentils and Rice Recipe for Dinner
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the lentils and rice. They can become mushy. If it's too soupy, uncover and cook off excess liquid.
- Tip: For a thinner, soupier Mujadara, add more broth or water.
- Tip: For a thicker, drier Mujadara, use less liquid and cook uncovered.
Storing & Reheating Easy Mujadara Lentils and Rice Recipe for 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: Mujadara can be made ahead and reheated.
Freezing Easy Mujadara Lentils and Rice Recipe for Dinner
Freeze individual portions for up to 3 months.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 15-20 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth. For a vegan version, skip the yogurt or sour cream topping.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the lentils with chickpeas or cannellini beans.
- Make-ahead: Mujadara freezes well. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved.
- Troubleshooting: If your Mujadara is too dry, add a little more broth or water when reheating.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality non-stick pot — Ensures even cooking and easy cleanup. → Check price on Amazon
Easy 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
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
Seasonings
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp coriander
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
Optional Toppings
- Chopped fresh parsley
- Lemon wedges
- Plain yogurt or sour cream
Instructions
- Sauté onions and garlic: In a large pot, sauté onions and garlic until softened and lightly golden.
- Add spices: Stir in cumin, coriander, paprika, salt, pepper, and cayenne (if using). Cook for 1 minute.
- Add lentils and rice: Stir in lentils and rice, coating them with the spice mixture.
- Add liquid: Pour in vegetable broth and diced tomatoes. Bring to a boil.
- Simmer: Reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer for 25-30 minutes, or until lentils and rice are tender.
- Serve: Fluff with a fork, taste, and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve with optional toppings.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth. For a vegan version, skip the yogurt or sour cream topping.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the lentils with chickpeas or cannellini beans.
- Make-ahead: Mujadara freezes well. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved.
- Troubleshooting: If your Mujadara is too dry, add a little more broth or water when reheating.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze individual portions for up to 3 months.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 15-20 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Make ahead: Mujadara can be made ahead and reheated.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 18g
- Fat: 3g
- Carbs: 65g
- Fiber: 15g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sat. Fat: 0.5g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Mujadara Lentils and Rice Recipe for Dinner FAQs
Yes, Mujadara can be made ahead and reheated. It also freezes well.
You may have used too much liquid or cooked it uncovered for too long. Try adding more liquid or covering it while cooking.
No, Mujadara is best cooked on the stovetop or in the oven.
Chickpeas or cannellini beans can be used as a substitute for lentils in this recipe.
Yes, this homemade Mujadara is more flavorful, healthier, and cheaper than takeout.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy 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!
