Irresistible Creamy Marry Me Lentils (Printable)
Luscious lentils in a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce with aromatic herbs. This comforting Mediterranean-style dish is 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
# Steps:
01 - Combine lentils and broth in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to medium-low and simmer uncovered until lentils are just tender, 20-25 minutes. Drain any excess liquid if necessary.
02 - While lentils cook, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté until softened and translucent, 3-4 minutes. Add minced garlic, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and red pepper flakes; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Stir in dried oregano, thyme, and smoked paprika until evenly distributed. Add the cooked, drained lentils to the skillet and toss gently to coat thoroughly in the aromatic vegetable mixture.
04 - Pour in heavy cream and sprinkle with grated Parmesan. Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring gently and frequently, until the sauce thickens and coats the lentils, about 5 minutes. Ensure everything is heated through.
05 - Remove from heat. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Stir in chopped fresh basil until just combined.
06 - Transfer to serving bowls or plates. Serve hot, garnished with additional fresh basil leaves and an extra sprinkle of Parmesan if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The rich sun-dried tomato sauce tastes like it simmered all day but comes together in under an hour
- Perfect for those nights when you want something impressive without the stress or complicated techniques
02 -
- Do not overcook the lentils initially or they will turn mushy when combined with the cream sauce
- Coconut milk works beautifully as a vegan alternative and actually pairs wonderfully with the sun-dried tomatoes
03 -
- Rinse your lentils thoroughly before cooking to remove any debris or dust
- Taste and adjust seasoning after the cream is added since dairy can mellow flavors