Lentil Power Bowl (Printable Version)

Hearty grains and tender lentils with roasted vegetables in creamy tahini dressing.

# What You'll Need:

→ Grains

01 - 1 cup quinoa or brown rice, uncooked
02 - 2 cups water or vegetable broth

→ Lentils

03 - 1 cup green or brown lentils, rinsed
04 - 2.5 cups water
05 - 1 bay leaf
06 - 0.5 teaspoon salt

→ Roasted Vegetables

07 - 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and cubed
08 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
09 - 1 zucchini, sliced
10 - 1 red onion, sliced
11 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
12 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
13 - 0.5 teaspoon ground cumin
14 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Tahini Dressing

15 - 0.25 cup tahini
16 - 2 tablespoons lemon juice
17 - 2 tablespoons water, plus more as needed
18 - 1 tablespoon maple syrup
19 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
20 - 0.5 teaspoon salt

→ Toppings

21 - 2 tablespoons pumpkin seeds
22 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

# Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
02 - Toss sweet potato, bell pepper, zucchini, and red onion with olive oil, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 25-30 minutes, stirring halfway through, until golden and tender.
03 - Combine lentils, water, bay leaf, and salt in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer uncovered for 20-25 minutes until lentils are tender. Drain excess water and discard bay leaf.
04 - In a separate pot, bring 2 cups of water or broth to a boil. Add quinoa or rice, reduce heat, cover, and cook according to package instructions, approximately 15-20 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
05 - Whisk together tahini, lemon juice, water, maple syrup, minced garlic, and salt until smooth. Add extra water gradually to reach desired consistency.
06 - Divide cooked grains among bowls. Top with cooked lentils and roasted vegetables. Drizzle with tahini dressing and sprinkle with pumpkin seeds and parsley. Serve warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under an hour, which means weeknight dinner without the stress or takeout expense.
  • One bowl gives you complete protein, fiber, and enough satisfaction to power through an afternoon without the energy crash.
  • You can customize it endlessly, swapping vegetables and grains based on what's in your kitchen.
02 -
  • Don't skip draining excess lentil cooking water or they'll make the bowl mushy instead of maintaining that perfect tender texture.
  • The tahini dressing thickens as it sits, so make it last and keep extra water nearby to loosen it up before serving.
03 -
  • Make the tahini dressing first so it has time to sit and the flavors meld while you're cooking everything else.
  • Cut your vegetables slightly larger than you think you need—they shrink more than you'd expect during roasting, and bigger pieces stay more tender in the centers while the edges get those caramelized edges.
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