Description
A hearty, baked casserole featuring creamy lentils topped with a crisp, cheesy breadcrumb crust for a satisfying comfort meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup brown or green lentils, rinsed
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup heavy cream or full-fat coconut milk for dairy-free
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (Panko preferred)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease an 8×8 inch baking dish.
- Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Cook until softened, about 5 to 7 minutes.
- Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
- Stir in the rinsed lentils, vegetable broth, thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes, or until lentils are tender and most liquid is absorbed.
- Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the heavy cream, 3/4 cup of the cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese, and spinach until the spinach wilts and the mixture is creamy.
- Pour the lentil mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- In a small bowl, mix the remaining 1/4 cup cheddar cheese with the breadcrumbs. Sprinkle this topping evenly over the lentil mixture.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
- Let the bake rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute brown lentils with green lentils; cooking times may vary slightly.
- For a richer flavor, use vegetable broth instead of water when cooking the lentils.
- This casserole freezes well before baking; cover tightly and freeze for up to three months. Thaw overnight before baking.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 55 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 550
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 11
- Unsaturated Fat: 9
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 50
- Fiber: 15
- Protein: 25
- Cholesterol: 45