Hearty Lentil Stew with Creamy Mashed Potatoes
A recipe for a deeply flavored, thick lentil stew served over smooth, garlic-infused mashed potatoes, creating a satisfying comfort meal.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 60 min
- Total Time: 80 min
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Homestyle
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup brown or green lentils, rinsed
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
- 2 pounds Russet potatoes, peeled and quartered
- 1/2 cup milk (or non-dairy alternative)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (or vegan butter)
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste for potatoes
Instructions
- For the stew: 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 minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in rinsed lentils, vegetable broth, diced tomatoes, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaf.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 35 to 45 minutes, or until lentils are tender and the stew has thickened. Remove the bay leaf. Season with salt and pepper.
- For the potatoes: Place the peeled and quartered potatoes in a large saucepan and cover with cold, salted water. Bring to a boil and cook until potatoes are fork-tender, about 15 to 20 minutes.
- Drain the potatoes completely. Return them to the hot, empty pot over low heat for 1 minute, shaking occasionally, to evaporate any remaining moisture.
- Remove the pot from the heat. Add the butter, milk, and garlic powder. Mash thoroughly with a potato masher or use a ricer for the smoothest texture.
- Beat until the potatoes are creamy and smooth. Season with salt and pepper to your preference.
- Serve the hearty lentil stew immediately spooned over a generous portion of the creamy mashed potatoes.
Notes
- For an extra rich stew flavor, add 1 tablespoon of tomato paste with the garlic.
- To achieve ultra-creamy potatoes, warm the milk and butter slightly before adding them to the drained potatoes.
- This stew freezes well; cool completely before storing in an airtight container.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving stew and potatoes
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Unsaturated Fat: 7
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 70
- Fiber: 18
- Protein: 25
- Cholesterol: 15
