Irresistible Creamy Marry Me Lentils (Printable)

Luscious lentils in a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce with herbs, perfect for cozy dinners.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Lentils & Main

01 - 1 cup dried green or brown lentils, rinsed
02 - 3 cups low-sodium vegetable broth or water

→ Vegetables & Base

03 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
04 - 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
05 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
06 - 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped
07 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

→ Sauce & Finish

08 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
09 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
10 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
11 - 1/2 cup heavy cream or full-fat coconut milk
12 - 1/3 cup grated Parmesan or vegan Parmesan alternative
13 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
14 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil, plus more for garnish

# How To Make It:

01 - Combine lentils and broth in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered until just tender, 20-25 minutes. Drain any excess liquid if needed.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and red pepper flakes; cook another minute until fragrant.
03 - Stir in oregano, thyme, and smoked paprika. Add the cooked lentils and toss to coat evenly in the aromatic mixture.
04 - Pour in cream and Parmesan. Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring gently, until thick, creamy, and heated through, about 5 minutes.
05 - Season generously with salt and pepper. Stir in fresh basil and serve hot, garnished with extra basil and an extra sprinkle of Parmesan if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The creamy sauce with sun-dried tomatoes creates depth that usually takes hours of simmering
  • It comes together in under an hour but tastes like it simmered all afternoon
  • The lentils make it hearty enough to satisfy meat eaters and vegetarians alike
02 -
  • The sauce continues to thicken as it stands, so if it looks too loose, give it a few minutes off the heat
  • Sun-dried tomatoes vary in saltiness, so always taste before adding extra salt to the final dish
  • Coconut milk will separate if boiled too vigorously, so keep the heat low once it is added
03 -
  • Reserve the oil from the sun-dried tomatoes and drizzle it over the finished dish
  • Let the lentils cool slightly before adding them to the hot skillet so they do not break apart

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