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A bowl of hearty lentil stew with tender meat, carrots, and greens, served alongside velvety mashed potatoes topped with parsley.

Hearty Lentil Stew with Velvety Mashed Potatoes

This hearty lentil stew with velvety mashed potatoes is the ultimate cozy comfort meal featuring tender lentils, hearty vegetables, savory herbs, and buttery smooth mashed potatoes. Perfect for healthy dinners, meal prep, and cold weather comfort food, this satisfying recipe is rich in flavor while staying wholesome and filling.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 390
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Lentil Stew
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 yellow onion diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 carrots sliced
  • 2 stalks celery sliced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 cup dried brown lentils rinsed
  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 can diced tomatoes drained
  • 2 cups kale chopped
For the Velvety Mashed Potatoes
  • 2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes peeled and cubed
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 cup whole milk warmed
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Equipment

  • Large pot

Method
 

  1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
  2. Add onion, garlic, carrots, and celery. Cook for 6 to 7 minutes until softened.
  3. Stir in salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, thyme, and Italian seasoning.
  4. Add lentils, vegetable broth, tomato paste, and diced tomatoes. Stir well.
  5. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 30 to 35 minutes until lentils are tender.
  6. Stir in chopped kale and cook for 5 more minutes until wilted.
  7. While the stew cooks, place potatoes in a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil and cook for 15 to 18 minutes until fork tender.
  8. Drain potatoes and return to the pot.
  9. Add butter, warm milk, salt, and black pepper. Mash until smooth and creamy.
  10. Spoon mashed potatoes into bowls and top with hearty lentil stew.

Notes

Warm milk helps create extra smooth mashed potatoes with a velvety texture. For deeper flavor, allow the stew to simmer uncovered for the last few minutes to thicken slightly before serving.