Print

Very Veggie Lentil Bake Recipe

Very Veggie Lentil Bake Recipe
Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 24 reviews

This Very Veggie Lentil Bake is a wholesome, comforting dish packed with nutritious red lentils, white rice, and a medley of colorful vegetables. Baked with a golden, cheesy topping, it offers a perfect balance of flavors and textures suitable for a hearty vegetarian meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 110 g red lentils (~ 1/2 cup)
  • 75 g white rice (~ 1/4 cup)
  • 650 ml vegetable stock (~ 2 1/2 cups) or 2 stock cubes made up in 650ml water
  • 1 tbsp oil

Vegetables

  • 1 small leek or 1/2 large leek, sliced
  • 1 bell pepper, diced fairly small (orange preferred)
  • 5 medium mushrooms, diced fairly small
  • 1 small courgette (zucchini) or 1/2 large courgette, diced fairly small

Seasonings and Toppings

  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
  • Black pepper (to taste)
  • 90 g grated cheddar cheese (~ 1 cup)

Instructions

  1. Cook the Lentils and Rice: Combine the red lentils, white rice, and vegetable stock in a pot. Boil for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. During the last 5 minutes, stir continuously to prevent sticking. Do not drain the liquid; instead, continue stirring and simmer until the mixture thickens to a porridge-like consistency.
  2. Sauté the Vegetables: While the lentils cook, heat the oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the sliced leek, diced bell pepper, mushrooms, and courgette. Cook for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are soft and fragrant.
  3. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 190°C (375°F / Gas Mark 5) to prepare for baking.
  4. Combine the Mixtures: In a large mixing bowl, mix the cooked lentils and rice with the sautéed vegetables. Stir in the smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and a generous amount of black pepper. Mix thoroughly to combine all flavors.
  5. Assemble the Bake: Spread half of the lentil and vegetable mixture evenly in a baking dish. Sprinkle half of the grated cheddar cheese over it. Layer the remaining mixture on top, smooth the surface, and sprinkle the rest of the cheese to finish.
  6. Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, until the cheese topping is golden brown and crispy.

Notes

  • Stirring continuously during the last few minutes of cooking lentils and rice is essential to prevent sticking and to achieve the right consistency.
  • Feel free to swap cheddar cheese for a vegan cheese alternative to make this dish vegan-friendly.
  • The spice levels can be adjusted by varying the amount of cayenne pepper based on your heat preference.
  • This bake can be prepared ahead of time and reheated for quick meals.
  • For a gluten-free version, ensure the stock cubes and cheese are gluten-free certified.

Nutrition

Keywords: lentil bake, vegetarian casserole, healthy lentil recipe, vegetable bake, cheesy lentil dish

Find it online: https://todayfoodrecipe.com/very-veggie-lentil-bake-recipe/