Why this fits a family on a budget
Red lentils and canned tomatoes keep the total cost well under $1.10 per serving, fitting a $55/week family budget easily. The parallel rice-and-stew cooking method gets a hearty, flavorful dinner on the table in 25 minutes with zero advanced technique required.
• 1.5 cup red lentils
• 14.5 oz canned diced tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 2.5 cup vegetable broth
• 1 medium yellow onion
• 1 medium green bell pepper
• 3 clove garlic cloves
• 1 tsp fresh ginger
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 0.25 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley
• 1.5 cup long grain white rice
• 2.5 cup water
1. Start rice first: combine 1.5 cups rice and 2.5 cups water in a medium saucepan over high heat. Once boiling (about 3–4 minutes), reduce heat to low, cover tightly, and cook for 15 minutes undisturbed.
2. While rice cooks, dice the onion and bell pepper into roughly half-inch pieces and mince the garlic cloves.
3. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers (about 1 minute). Add the diced onion and bell pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, for 4–5 minutes until the onion is translucent and edges begin to turn golden.
4. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the skillet. Stir constantly for 30 seconds until fragrant — you will smell a sharp, toasty aroma.
5. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute, pressing it around the pan until it darkens slightly to a deep brick-red color.
6. Pour in the canned diced tomatoes (with their juices) and vegetable broth. Add the red lentils, cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne, salt, and black pepper. Stir everything together.
7. Raise heat to bring the mixture to a boil (about 2–3 minutes), then reduce to medium-low. Cook uncovered for 10–12 minutes, stirring every 2–3 minutes, until lentils are completely soft and the stew has thickened to a porridge-like consistency.
8. Taste and adjust salt or cayenne as needed. Remove from heat.
9. Fluff the rice with a fork. Serve the lentil stew over or alongside the rice and garnish with chopped fresh parsley.
Cost is a national-average estimate and varies by store and region.
This recipe was generated by Plento Pasto's AI from a library of family-friendly dishes and reviewed for a real photo before publishing. Cooking times, costs, and nutrition are estimates — use your judgment in the kitchen.