Description
This **Lentil Stew Over Mashed Potatoes** is the ultimate cozy vegan dinner. Creamy mashed potatoes are topped with a richly spiced lentil stew simmered with onions, carrots, celery, tomato paste, and warming curry-inspired spices. It’s hearty, nourishing, gluten-free, and dairy-free — the kind of comfort food that feels indulgent yet wholesome. Perfect for busy weeknights, family dinners, or meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Lentil Stew:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium carrot, diced
- 1 celery stalk, chopped
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp curry powder
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp turmeric (optional)
- 1 cup green or brown lentils, rinsed
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
For the Mashed Potatoes:
- 1.5 lbs (700 g) potatoes, peeled & cubed
- 1–2 tbsp vegan butter or olive oil
- 1/2 cup unsweetened plant milk (almond, oat, or soy)
- Salt, to taste
- Optional: 1 tbsp nutritional yeast, for cheesy flavor
Instructions
- Make the mashed potatoes: Boil peeled & cubed potatoes in salted water until fork-tender (about 15 minutes). Drain and mash with vegan butter/olive oil and warm plant milk until creamy. Season with salt. Keep warm.
- Sauté vegetables: In a large saucepan, heat olive oil. Add onion, garlic, carrot, and celery. Cook 5–7 minutes until softened.
- Add spices & tomato paste: Stir in tomato paste, curry powder, cumin, paprika, and turmeric. Cook for 1 minute to bloom spices.
- Cook the lentils: Add rinsed lentils and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat. Simmer uncovered for 25–30 minutes, or until lentils are tender and stew thickens. Season with salt & pepper.
- Assemble: Spoon mashed potatoes into bowls. Top with lentil stew. Garnish with fresh parsley and a drizzle of olive oil if desired.
Notes
- Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes work best for creamy mash.
- For extra creaminess, add a splash of coconut milk to the lentils.
- Add greens like spinach or kale during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
- Lentil stew freezes beautifully (up to 2 months). Reheat with a splash of broth.
- For a sweeter variation, swap white potatoes with mashed sweet potatoes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Vegan, Comfort Food
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Vegan, Indian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (lentils + mash)
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 15g
- Protein: 16g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Lentil Stew, Mashed Potatoes, Vegan Dinner, Comfort Food, Plant-Based Recipes