Dinner ideas

40 lovely lentil recipes

Learn to love lentils with this collection of delicious recipes. From soups and salads to authentic, punchy dhals - it's time to embrace these luscious legumes!
lentil recipes
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Lentils are a cheap and cheerful legume that you’re bound to have a bag or two of in the cupboard. And there’s a reason why they’re such a popular choice for vegetarians; cooking with lentils guarantees a hearty, nourishing meal that allows you to play with plenty of other flavours and ingredients. Our favourite? A deliciously moreish dhal curry with chutney yoghurt. Yum!

If you can’t get enough lentils – there’s always ourcheeky chickpea recipes.

Vegetarian sausage rolls

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Vegetarian sausage rolls

Vegetarian sausage rolls

These quick and easy sausage rolls are a meat-free variation on a traditional family favourite. Made with lentils, vegies and sesame seeds, they are both nutritious and filling.

Lentil Pasties

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Lentil pasties

Lentil pasties

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Beef and lentil curry

Beef and lentil curry

beef sausage and lentil salad

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Beef sausage and lentil salad

Beef sausage and lentil salad

Lentils have a nutty, earthy flavour that helps ground the strident richness of the sausages and pungency of the mustard and spices in this robust salad.

vegetable and lentil potato pie

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Vegetable and lentil potato pie

This healthy and tasty vegetable and lentil potato pie is packed full of vitamins and every bit as hearty as a meat based cottage pie. Perfect for a family meat-free Monday meal.

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Lentil and paprika meatball minestrone

Lentil and paprika meatball minestrone

A healthy and delicious twist on the classic minestrone stew of Italian origin.

pumpkin and eggplant dhal

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Pumpkin and eggplant dhal

Pumpkin and eggplant dhal

There are countless versions of dhal, all equally healthy and delicious. Try our warming pumpkin and eggplant version for a hearty meat-free meal. Serve with Indian flatbread to mop up every bite.

wholemeal spaghetti with green lentils, mushrooms and parsley butter

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Wholemeal spaghetti with green lentils, mushrooms and parsley butter

Wholemeal spaghetti with green lentils, mushrooms and parsley butter

Keep healthy and satisfied with this wholemeal spaghetti with green lentils, mushrooms and parsley butter.

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Lentil and vegetable soup

Lentil and vegetable soup

French green lentils have a sensational nutty, earthy flavour and stand up well to being boiled without becoming muddy. Don’t be tempted to skip the the celery leaves. They add incredible flavour to this detoxifying soup.

VEGETABLE AND LENTIL LASAGNE

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Vegetable and lentil lasagne

Vegetable and lentil lasagne

An excellent option for a nourishing, filling meat-free meal, these individual vegetable and lentil lasagnes will quickly become a family favourite.

broccoli and cauliflower cannelloni

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Broccoli and cauliflower cannelloni

Broccoli and cauliflower cannelloni

The addition of lentils and tomatoes makes this vegetarian pasta bake a hearty, flavoursome family meal.

chicken lentil and spinach pasta

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Chicken lentil and spinach pasta

Chicken lentil and spinach pasta

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Masala dosa with mint rasam

Masala dosa with mint rasam

A savoury and satisfying vegetarian classic from India, with a deliciously minty rasam.

Cheesy lentil pies

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Cheesy lentil pies

These cheesy lentil pies by will satisfy your meat-free cravings while packing a flavourful punch. Full of protein and vegetable goodness, they’re also perfect for little hands.

mediterranean grain salad

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Mediterranean grain salad

If you’re looking for a healthy salad with a difference, try this Cypriot-inspired Mediterranean grain salad packed with lentils, brown rice, quinoa, seeds, nuts and fresh herbs.

Vegetarian bolognese

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Vegetarian bolognese

Don’t let all the meat eaters have all the fun! This tempting vegetarian bolognese might just woo over to the veg side!

carrot and lentil soup vegan

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Carrot and lentil soup with coriander pesto

Carrot and lentil soup with coriander pesto

Packed full of nutrients, this hearty and comforting vegan soup from The Australian Women’s Weekly’s ‘Everyday Vegetarian’ cookbook is the ultimate winter warmer.

lentil recipes

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Red dhal with coconut curry

Red dhal with coconut curry

Packed full of hearty lentils and lovely Indian spices, this vegetarian curry makes a great quick and tasty weeknight dinner that’s super healthy.

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Brown lentil patties with grilled cucumber salad

Brown lentil patties with grilled cucumber salad

These delicious brown lentil and spinach patties are baked, not fried, for a wonderfully healthy dinner. Serve with our fresh grilled cucumber and yoghurt salad for a filling, fibre-packed meal.

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Char-grilled zucchini and lentil lasagne

Char-grilled zucchini and lentil lasagne

This delicious vegetarian lasagne recipe from The Australian Women’s Weekly’s ‘Diabetes: Food For Life’ cookbook is packed full of flavour and fibre, and is suitable for those following a diabetes-friendly diet.

Roasted brussels sprouts & lentil salad

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Roasted brussels sprouts and lentil salad

This delicious golden roasted brussels sprout and lentil salad is great for lunch or as a salad side for dinner. It’s also perfect for diabetics.

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Beetroot and lentil burgers

Everyone loves a good burger, and everyone will love these beetroot and lentil burgers! Healthy, wholesome and mouthwatering-delicious!

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Lentil, green bean and fetta salad

This deliciously fresh and healthy lentil, green bean and fetta salad is packed with mouthwatering flavour and texture, making it the perfect dinner for any night of the week!

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Harira

Harira

This tasty Moroccan soup is traditionally eaten to break the daily fast during the month of Ramadan, but it is also a delicious midweek dinner, or light winter snack!

Hearty vegetable and lentil soup

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Hearty vegetable and lentil soup

Hearty vegetable and lentil soup

This feel-good soup goes up a notch, seasoned with a hint of citrus in the form of coriander-blended yoghurt.

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Roasted vegetable and green lentil salad

Roasted vegetable and green lentil salad

Pulses, legumes, grains and seeds are great off-the-shelf staples that add bulk, fibre and valuable nutrients to your diet. Try these light and hearty recipes to kickstart a new way of cooking.

Pasta with mushrooms and lentils

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Pasta with mushrooms and lentils

Pasta with mushrooms and lentils

Perfect for dinner or lunch this pasta dish takes less than half an hour to make. It’s a healthy vegetarian option, filled with tasty mushrooms and lentils.

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Spicy lentil soup

This rich and delicious spicy lentil soup is a wonderful way to celebrate these tender pulses.

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Wholemeal spaghetti with green lentils, mushrooms and parsley butter

Lentils add a lovely texture to this healthy, vegetarian wholemeal spaghetti with lentils, mushrooms and parsley butter.

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Chickpea and lentil rice with fried onion

This fragrant, spiced chickpea and lentil rice dish makes a lovely side for your next big dinner.

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Dhal curry with chutney yoghurt

Arguably the most popular lentil dish ever, this delicious dhal curry with chutney yoghurt is a delicious vegetarian meal.

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Vegan “shepherdless” pie

This vegan shepherd’s pie replaces the traditional lamb with a delicious mix of veggies and lentils for a healthy spin everyone can enjoy.

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Lentil, gorgonzola and witlof salad

The bright ingredients in this lentil, gorgonzola and witlof salad make it an eye-catching addition to your dinner table.

Hearty bacon, lentil and vegetable soup

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Hearty bacon, lentil and vegetable soup

Hearty bacon, lentil and vegetable soup

A healthy meal has never been easier than with this effortless soup. Bacon adds a crisp, salty flavour while carrots, celery and lentils pack this meal with nutrition.

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Lentil, green bean and fetta salad

This simple lentil, green bean and fetta salad is easy enough to make for any night of the week and substantial enough to be its own meal.

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Pork steaks with sauteed lentils

These pork steaks with sauteed lentils are cooked in a mouthwatering mix of pancetta, lemons and rosemary for an effortlessly tasty meal.

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Lentil sausage rolls with tomato sumac salad

These lentil sausage rolls are the perfect vegetarian alternative to our classic sausage rolls.

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Lentil and tomato bake

This wholesome lentil and tomato bake is perfect for dinner this weekend. Hearty and delicious, this is a dish the whole family will love.

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Beef and lentil lasagne

Bulk out a beef lasagne with lentils, for a healthy and cost-effective family dinner that’s fully of protein and fibre.

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Chicken, lentil and pumpkin curry

This slow-cooked chicken, lentil and pumpkin curry is divine served with a dollop of yoghurt and warm chapatis.

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