Cheesy Lentil Pasta Recipe (+ Video) - Don't Waste the Crumbs (2024)

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Cheesy Lentil Pasta Recipe (+ Video) - Don't Waste the Crumbs (1)

By Tiffany Published Last Updated: March 3, 2021 53 Comments

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Cheesy Lentil Pasta is the perfect, wholesome, real food dinner (made from the pantry) in less than 20 minutes and under $5. Serve with a fresh Kale Caesar Salad!

Cheesy Lentil Pasta Recipe (+ Video) - Don't Waste the Crumbs (2)

One of the easiest substitutions to make when you’re trying to spend less money, stretch a meal, or simply make do with what you have, is swapping lentils for ground beef.

They’re the perfect plant based protein! I’ve marinated them with sun-dried tomatoes, I’ve cooked them in the Instant Pot, and I’ve paired them with veggies in my red lentil soup!

So with 1/2lb of lentils hanging out in my pantry, I was curious how they’d do as a meat replacement in my real food rendition of a classic cheeseburger helper recipe…

Who knew that using lentils as a substitution for ground beef would work out so great!?!

My cheesy lentil pasta recipe was born. It tastes so great that we devoured it for dinner, and then again the next day for lunch!

Trust me, this cheesy lentil pasta recipe is SO perfect for a fast, frugal and TASTY weeknight meal.

I just know you will love this recipe!

Cheesy Lentil Pasta Recipe (+ Video) - Don't Waste the Crumbs (3)

Cheesy Lentil Pasta

Not only is this protein packed recipe a perfect frugal ‘pantry meal,’ it’s also great because it’s:

  • Customizable & versatile. Nearly any variety of lentil can be used instead of green lentils. Or use tomato sauce instead of diced tomatoes. Really, this pantry recipe uses what you have on hand!
  • Gluten-free friendly! Use gluten free pasta or bean pasta for an amazing gluten free pasta dish.
  • Vegetarian & vegan friendly! This could be a perfect vegan meal. Use any vegan cheese (vegan parmesan would be great) and vegetable broth rather than chicken stock.

What are the ingredients for the best Cheesy Lentil Pasta?

  • Lentils (I used green lentils, but you can use any that you have on hand)
  • homemade chicken stock (or vegetable stock for vegan)
  • taco seasoning (I use homemade taco seasoning) OR…
  • cumin
  • chili powder (optional)
  • black pepper
  • salt
  • onion powder
  • garlic powder
  • diced tomatoes, with juices
  • whole wheat pasta (or gluten free pasta)
  • fresh or frozen mixed vegetables
  • shredded cheese (I’ve tested with cheddar & Monterey Jack. Parmesan cheese would be good too!)
Cheesy Lentil Pasta Recipe (+ Video) - Don't Waste the Crumbs (4)

How do you make hearty lentil pasta from scratch?

  • In a large pot, combine lentils, chicken stock and taco seasoning or spices. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook lentils for 30 minutes.
  • Add remaining ingredients, cover, reduce heat, and cook on low for 10-15 minutes until the pasta is tender. (Stir occasionally, if needed, to ensure noodles are nearly submerged in liquid.)
  • Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 cup of cheese. Serve immediately and sprinkle with additional cheese.

Recipe Notes:

  • This meal is very much hands-off, but if you REALLY want to cut back on time, make a big batch of lentils ahead of time. Reduce the liquid to 1 1/2 cups and start the recipe at step #2.
  • If you want it to be more like a conventional “ cheeseburger helper,” use tomato sauce in place of diced tomatoes and add another cup of shredded cheese.
  • Vegetarian / vegan: Use vegetable stock in place of chicken stock, omit cheese.
  • Gluten-free/Grain-free: Use GF pasta, or even rice in place of traditional pasta.
Cheesy Lentil Pasta Recipe (+ Video) - Don't Waste the Crumbs (5)

Additional recipe tips for cheesy lentil pasta:

  • Having a meal stocked in the pantry will save you if scheduled dinner plans go awry. (Believe me I HAVE burned dinner on multiple occasions!)
  • Your budget will benefit from inexpensive meatless meals like this.
  • Real food meals are healthier for you and are typically less expensive than processed store-bought versions.
  • To save even more money on this meal, I use these lentils, homemade taco seasoning, homemade chicken stock, buy my cheese in a block, and if the season produces well home canned diced tomatoes.

More Amazing Meatless Meals

  • Savory Pasta with Bacon and Greens
  • White Bean and Kale Soup
  • Slow Cooker Meatless Lasagna
  • Skillet Pizza Veggie Pasta
  • Easy Baked Ziti

Cheesy Lentil Pasta Recipe (+ Video) - Don't Waste the Crumbs (6)

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Watch How to Make Cheesy Lentil Pasta

Cheesy Lentil Pasta

Cheesy Lentil Pasta Recipe (+ Video) - Don't Waste the Crumbs (7)
Print Recipe
★★★★★4.7 from 6 reviews

Cheesy Lentil Pasta is the perfect, wholesome, real food dinner (made from the pantry) in less than 20 minutes and under $5. Serve with a fresh Kale Caesar Salad!

  • Author: Tiffany
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 mins
  • Total Time: 50 mins
  • Yield: 4 1x
  • Category: Main Meals
  • Method: Stove Top
  • Cuisine: American
  • 3/4 cup green lentils
  • 1 quart homemade chicken stock
  • 2 Tbsp taco seasoning

OR sub the following spices instead of taco seasoning mix

  • 2 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp chili powder (optional)
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder

Plus

  • 1 15oz can of diced tomatoes, with juices
  • 2 cups small whole wheat pasta (i.e. macaroni or shells)
  • 2 cups fresh or frozen mixed vegetables (optional)
  • 1 cup shredded cheese, divided (I’ve tested with cheddar and Monterey Jack)

Instructions

  1. In a large pot, combine lentils, chicken stock and taco seasoning. Bring to a simmer and cook lentils for 30 minutes.
  2. Add remaining ingredients, cover and cook on low for 10-15 minutes until the pasta is tender. (Stir occasionally, if needed, to ensure noodles are nearly submerged in liquid.)
  3. Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 cup of cheese. Serve immediately and sprinkle with additional cheese.

Notes

* This meal is very much hands-off, but if you REALLY want to cut back on time, make a big batch of lentils ahead of time. Reduce the liquid to 1 1/2 cups and start the recipe at step #2.
* If you want it to be more like a conventional “helper,” use tomato sauce in place of diced tomatoes and add another cup of shredded cheese.
* Vegetarian: Use vegetable stock in place of chicken stock, omit cheese.
* Gluten-free/Grain-free: Use GF pasta, or even rice in place of traditional pasta.

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53 Comments

  1. Cheesy Lentil Pasta Recipe (+ Video) - Don't Waste the Crumbs (12)Jenn

    So easy, filling, healthy, and delicious! My husband just told me “I can’t stop eating this!” as he went for seconds.

    Reply to this comment

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Cheesy Lentil Pasta Recipe (+ Video) - Don't Waste the Crumbs (2024)

FAQs

Cheesy Lentil Pasta Recipe (+ Video) - Don't Waste the Crumbs? ›

Running water over your cooked pasta will rinse away the starchy build up that forms around your pasta noodles as they release starch into the boiling water while cooking.

Why do you rinse lentil pasta? ›

Running water over your cooked pasta will rinse away the starchy build up that forms around your pasta noodles as they release starch into the boiling water while cooking.

Is lentil pasta actually better? ›

For example, lentil pasta is an excellent alternative to regular pasta because it's high in fiber and protein. Lentils are loaded with folate, iron, phosphorus and potassium. Lentil pasta is rich in fiber. Fiber intake helps reduce the risk of developing heart disease, diabetes and stroke.

Does lentil pasta go soft? ›

One of the most common questions surrounding lentil pasta is how to cook it properly, as unlike traditional pasta, it tends to become softer and stickier when boiled. Incorrect cooking methods can lead to a mushy texture which may not be appetizing.

Can you eat lentils like pasta? ›

Yes, you can eat lentil pasta for dinner every day. Lentil pasta is a nutritious and versatile food option that can be part of a balanced diet. It is a good source of protein, fiber, and various essential nutrients.

Is it OK if you don't rinse lentils? ›

One benefit of lentils is that they can be cooked in less than an hour. While it seems like an unnecessary step, don't skip rinsing your lentils and sifting through them before cooking to remove any stones or debris.

What happens if you dont wash lentils? ›

You're fine to eat unrinsed lentils. The only real reason to rinse it to remove possible dirt, and perhaps a tad of starch.

What are the cons of lentil pasta? ›

Are there downsides to eating bean or lentil pasta? The high fiber content may be a problem for people who aren't used to eating a high-fiber diet. Plus, beans contain lots of fermentable carbohydrates that are healthy for the gut but hard to digest.

Is lentil pasta anti inflammatory? ›

You can find legume-based options made with black beans, chickpeas and lentils that offer protein and fiber that might help reduce inflammatory woes.

Does lentil pasta spike blood sugar? ›

All pasta raises blood sugar to a certain extent. However, whole grain types or those made from lentil, buckwheat, or pea flour contain more fiber than white pasta and may help to balance blood sugar better.

What is the difference between red lentil pasta and green lentil pasta? ›

These legumes are also similar in their vitamin A, fiber, and calcium content. The primary difference between these lentils is their texture and cooking time. Although red lentils take less time to cook, they may also be mushier. Deciding which to use depends on your preference and the recipe you'd like to make!

Is red lentil pasta the same as red lentils? ›

PSA on Red Lentil Pasta The pasta and the lentils are composed of the same thing: red lentils. But the pasta leads to a much bigger spike. Why? Probably because in the refining process in which the lentils are turned into lentil *flour* to make the pasta, their structure is changed.

Is lentil pasta hard to digest? ›

Though, she cautions: "A lentil or bean pasta may be difficult for those who have more sensitive digestive systems." So if beans or lentils give you serious gas or bloating, a legume-based pasta may not be for you.

When should you not eat lentils? ›

If you have any existing gut issues (such as irritable bowel syndrome) or autoimmune conditions (such as Crohn's or Hashimoto's), lectins are likely to be far more problematic for you. Raw or undercooked lentils are exceedingly harmful and can even result in death for some people.

Why did my lentils turn black? ›

the color change you've observed is from oxidation. If you want to prevent this, lay some plastic wrap over the surface of your lentils to prevent air from getting to them, or add some acid, like lime juice, to the recipe.

What is the difference between yellow and red lentil pasta? ›

Ultimately, which of the two is better depends wholly on your preference. In conclusion, apart from their color, yellow and red lentils differ in their taste and nutritional value. Yellow lentils have no taste and are rich in iron. On the other hand, red lentils are slightly sweet and ricer in sodium and potassium.

Do you have to rinse lentil pasta? ›

This does not starch over and become goopy like chickpea pasta. It is almost impossible to overcook so leave it sit in the pot with warm water an needs no rinse needed to remove starch.

Should you rinse lentil pasta after cooking? ›

Add the red lentil pasta to the boiling water and cook for about 6-8 minutes, or until al dente. Be sure to follow the cooking instructions on the package, as cooking times may vary. Once cooked, drain the pasta in a colander and rinse it with cold water to stop the cooking process.

What happens if you don't rinse pasta? ›

When left unrinsed, the starchy coating can make the pasta gummy and clump together. Stir-fry: When using spaghetti or any kind of Asian-style noodles — like soba, udon, or rice noodles — for stir-fry, they should always be rinsed after cooking.

What happens if you don't rinse red lentils? ›

I don't think I have ever washed lentils and we're all still here I even fed all my babies on red lentils without washing them. After all they are going to be boiled. There'll be no food poisoning, just maybe a bit of grit. But I never wash lentils and they don't taste gritty.

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