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Cozy Fall Crowd Lentil Dinner | 45-Min Hearty Family Fall Crowd Meal

Easy Cozy Fall Crowd Lentil Dinner 45 Min Hearty Family Meal

Cozy fall crowd lentil dinner ready in 45 minutes. This hearty family fall meal is perfect for feeding a crowd. Try this easy fall lentil dinner today.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Easy Dinner Recipes
Cuisine: American
Calories: 285

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 carrots, diced
  • 3 celery stalks, diced
  • 2 cups brown lentils
  • 6 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 oz)
  • 2 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 cups fresh spinach
  • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

Method
 

  1. Heat olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add diced onion, carrots, and celery—this aromatic base is essential for building flavor layers.
  2. Once the vegetables soften slightly (about 4-5 minutes), add minced garlic and cook for one more minute until fragrant. Stir constantly to prevent sticking.
  3. Add your brown lentils directly to the pot and stir well to coat them in oil. This toasting step helps them hold their shape during cooking.
  4. Pour in vegetable broth, diced tomatoes (with their juices), dried thyme, and cumin. Stir thoroughly, then bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 25-30 minutes until lentils are tender but not mushy.
  5. This cozy fall crowd lentil dinner recipe should have lentils that hold their shape while yielding to a fork. Taste and adjust seasonings with salt and pepper as needed.
  6. Stir in fresh spinach and balsamic vinegar during the final two minutes of cooking. The spinach will wilt quickly, adding bright nutrition and color contrast to the rich base.
  7. Let it rest for 2-3 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld beautifully throughout the pot.