Irresistible Creamy Marry Me Lentils (Printable)

Luscious lentils in a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce with herbs, 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

→ 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
12 - 1/3 cup grated Parmesan
13 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
14 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

# Directions:

01 - Combine lentils and broth in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered until just tender, 20-25 minutes. Drain any excess liquid if needed.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and red pepper flakes; cook another minute.
03 - Stir in oregano, thyme, and smoked paprika. Add the cooked lentils and toss to coat in the aromatic mixture.
04 - Pour in cream and Parmesan. Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring gently, until thick, creamy, and heated through, about 5 minutes.
05 - Season generously with salt and pepper. Stir in fresh basil. Serve hot, garnished with extra basil and an extra sprinkle of Parmesan if desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • This is the kind of vegetarian dinner that makes everyone forget meat was ever on the table
  • The sauce is thick, velvety, and clings to every single lentil like a warm embrace
  • Your entire kitchen will smell like an Italian grandmother has moved in for the evening
02 -
  • Do not skip draining the lentils after cooking, excess water will make your sauce thin and disappointing
  • Sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil are far superior to dry ones, the oil adds incredible flavor
  • The sauce will continue to thicken as it stands, so do not reduce it too much during cooking
03 -
  • Reserve a tablespoon of the sun-dried tomato oil and drizzle it over the finished dish for extra richness
  • Grate your own Parmesan instead of buying pre-grated, the melting quality is completely different

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