Description
Creamy Marry Me Lentils is a rich and flavorful vegetarian dish featuring tender black or Puy lentils simmered with sun-dried tomatoes, aromatic spices, and finished with a luscious creamy Parmesan sauce. It’s a comforting meal, perfect for a cozy dinner, served best with crusty bread, rice, or baked potatoes.
Ingredients
Scale
Lentils
- 1½ cups black lentils (beluga lentils) or Puy lentils
- 4 cups water (for cooking lentils)
Sauce
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 2 tablespoons sun-dried tomato herbed oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon fennel seeds
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Lentils: Rinse the lentils thoroughly under cold running water to remove any debris. Place them in a large saucepan with 4 cups of water, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cook the lentils gently for 20-25 minutes or until tender but not mushy. Drain well and set aside.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of sun-dried tomato herbed oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until it becomes translucent and soft. Stir in the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, and fennel seeds. Continue cooking for 1-2 minutes until the spices release their fragrance.
- Combine Lentils and Sauce: Add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cooked lentils into the skillet, stirring well to combine. Pour in the vegetable broth and let it simmer gently to meld the flavors. Lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Mix constantly until the sauce becomes creamy and coats the lentils evenly. Season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if desired for some heat.
- Serve: Remove from heat and garnish with fresh basil or parsley for a pop of color and freshness. Serve warm as a main dish alongside crusty bread, steamed rice, or atop baked potatoes for a hearty meal.
Notes
- For a vegan version, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and Parmesan with a plant-based cheese.
- Rinsing lentils is important to remove any dirt or impurities.
- Adjust red pepper flakes according to your desired spice level.
- Cooking lentils to just tender avoids mushiness in the final dish.
- Sun-dried tomato oil adds a depth of flavor; if unavailable, use olive oil and add a teaspoon of tomato paste for a similar effect.
