Why this fits a family on a budget
Red lentils cook in under 15 minutes and cost very little per serving, keeping this meal well under $2.00 a person while feeding a family of four. The straightforward one-pot method requires no special skills, just basic stirring and timing.
• 1.5 cups red lentils
• 1 large yellow onion
• 14.5 oz canned diced tomatoes
• 3 cups vegetable broth
• 3 cloves garlic cloves
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 0.5 tsp ground ginger
• 0.5 tsp ground turmeric
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 0.5 tsp ground coriander
• 0.25 tsp cayenne pepper
• 0.75 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 4 pieces pita bread
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1. Rinse red lentils in a fine mesh strainer under cold water for 30 seconds until water runs clear, then set aside.
2. Dice the yellow onion into small pieces and mince the 3 garlic cloves.
3. Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large pot over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 1 minute.
4. Add diced onion to the pot and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring every minute, until the onion turns soft and translucent with lightly golden edges.
5. Add minced garlic to the pot and stir for 30 seconds until fragrant and slightly golden — do not let it burn.
6. Add tomato paste, smoked paprika, turmeric, ginger, coriander, and cayenne to the pot. Stir constantly for 1 minute to toast the spices; the mixture will darken slightly and smell very fragrant.
7. Pour in the canned diced tomatoes and vegetable broth, then add the rinsed red lentils. Stir everything together and bring to a boil over high heat.
8. Once boiling, reduce heat to medium, cover partially with a lid, and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring every few minutes, until lentils are completely soft and have broken down into a thick, porridge-like stew. The stew is ready when a spoon dragged across the bottom of the pot leaves a brief trail.
9. Stir in lemon juice and salt, then taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
10. Warm pita bread directly on the stovetop burner over low flame for 15 to 20 seconds per side until soft and lightly charred, or wrap in a damp paper towel and microwave for 30 seconds.
11. Ladle stew into bowls and serve alongside warm pita for scooping.
Contains: gluten. Always double-check labels for your household's allergies.
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.