We have loads of delicious recipes with tinned green lentils such as stews, ragu, salads, pasta sauces, burgers, meatballs and more Here is our selection of the best green lentil dinner ideas, if you are a fan of lentils or you have never tried them you will love these recipes all made from a can of lentils!
Lentils are a type of pulse similar to beans and chickpeas, the most commonly found lentils are large green lentils or puy lentils. Green lentils take a while to cook so are not that convenient to cook with, so we tend to use tinned lentils for our meals to keep it simple Lentils are high in protein and full of fibre, they are also incredibly low in fat so are the perfect alternative to meat for a healthy low-fat diet, They are also high in potassium, B vitamins, iron and phosphorus too!.
Preparing tinned green lentils
Green lentils in a tin are already cooked, this makes them simple to use and prepare, just open the tin and drain the lentils using a sieve, then wash the lentils under cold water and leave to drain. The advantage of using tinned lentils over dry lentils is that sometimes if you haven't fully cooked the dry lentils when you put them in a sauce they can soak up all the sauce leaving you a very dry meal, tinned lentils don't tend to do this at all so they are much easier to cook with.
A lentil salad is a perfect way to use a tin of lentils, lentils create a salad packed with protein and fibre, and go well with earthy vegetables such as beetroot, squashes and mushrooms, and combine with a strong creamy cheese like feta and you have the perfect salad for dinner.
A deliciously simple lentil recipe, with roasted butternut squash, beetroot, a tin of green lentils and creamy feta all coated in a fresh herb dressing. This warm salad is filling and comforting with a fresh hit from the herby dressing. It is the ideal all-year-round salad but best in spring, summer or autumn, it is a meal in one and doesn't require any side dishes but it tastes lovely to serve with crusty bread or a warm naan bread.
Click here to get the recipe for green lentil salad
Bolognese is the perfect sauce to make using a tin of green lentils as the traditional ingredients of tomato and Italian herbs compliment the flavours of lentils perfectly. Our favourite green lentil pasta recipe is
Lentil burgers are a seriously healthy alternative to your usual takeaway burger. The lentils have the perfect consistency to make burgers with. To make burgers with canned green lentils dry the lentils in the oven to ensure the burgers stick together better. Try our
These burgers are made with tinned green lentils, mushrooms and grated carrot, combining these earthy flavours and then complimenting them with garlic and Italian herbs make the perfect burgers. They are served in a crusty ciabatta roll with lettuce and tomato and are finished with fried onions and a dollop of tomato sauce. This chunky veggie burger is served with crunchy parmesan courgette chips, if you are in a hurry serve with oven chips.
Lentils, cheese and potatoes complement each other perfectly and are ideal for a lentil bake, so we have developed a veggie version of the traditional dish tartiflette, usually made with chicken and bacon, The lentils replace the chicken and the smoked cheese replaces the smoked bacon taste giving the whole dish a fantastic and authentic flavour
This simple cheesy lentil bake has layers of potatoes, spinach and onions, smoked cheese and a can of green lentils cooked in a casserole dish till piping hot and golden brown. This dish is served with a tomato and green salad, coated in a mustard and honey dressing. This green lentil bake is ideal for an autumn and winter evening meal, as it is packed with good carbs and veggie proteins. This recipe is perfect for freezing, so cook extra and use it on those busy work nights.
Spaghetti meatballs are a fantastic dinner dish for an evening meal or dinner party. These lentil balls are oven-baked making them extra healthy. These meatless balls are delicious and the parmesan and olives complement the lentils perfectly
Delicious green lentil balls, flavoured with olives, parmesan, paprika, fresh chilli and parsley, covered in a fresh tomato sauce flavoured with basil and red wine and baked in the oven. Once cooked place them on a bed of spaghetti and served with crusty garlic bread. These veggie meatballs make the perfect meal for autumn, winter or spring, and are ideal for freezing so make extra and pop them in the freezer.
A delicious French lentil stew, and the perfect comfort food for cold winter nights. Green lentils are gently stewed with potatoes, leeks, and mushrooms, in a warm and earthy white wine, thyme and bay leaf gravy. The potatoes, leek, and earthy mushrooms compliment the green lentils perfectly. This stew is a meal in one, simply serve it with crusty bread. Perfect for cold winter nights or a winter French veggie dinner party.
Lentil Bolognese is the ideal veggie replacement for the traditional spaghetti Bolognese, the lentil match the authentic bolognese ingredients so try our delicious green lentil pasta
A simple green lentil dish made with a tin of green lentils, onions, tomatoes, carrots and celery, flavoured with garlic, oregano, bay leaves, and red wine. The Bolognese is served on a bed of spaghetti, sprinkled with parmesan and slices of buttery garlic bread.
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