Name: Lentils in tomato sauce
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Yield: 2 people
Cuisine: France
Ingredients: 150 oz ofgreen lentils; 400 oz oflentils in a jar; 350 oz oftomato sauce; 2 onions; 1 branch ofcelery ((optional)); salt and pepper

Lentils in tomato sauce

side dishes kitchen cabinets legumes quick meals

Updated on 05 May 2025 by

ratatouille

1 review 5 : Delicious

Diet

Gluten-free Lightweight Vegetarian

Level

Elementary

Calories

159 kcal

Preparation

10 minutes

Cooking

25 minutes

Here’s my recipe for lentils in tomato sauce—the perfect dish if you don’t have any fresh ingredients on hand or are short on time!

Lentils are indeed an excellent source of protein and iron, making them a favorite among vegetarians. This dish can therefore serve as a main course, especially when paired with rice.

And if you find lentils a bit bland, you’ll see that combining them with tomatoes and onions adds both color and flavor.

Feel free to add other vegetables you have on hand to this dish!

For

people

Add to shopping list

made from "raw" lentils
5.3 oz of green lentils

made with canned lentils
14.1 oz of lentils in a jar

for the sauce
12.3 oz of tomato sauce
2 onions
1 branch of celery (optional)
salt and pepper

Cooking lentils
- 1
  If you're using jarred lentils, skip ahead to the "Tomato Sauce and Simmering" step
- 2
  Rinse the lentils, then place them in a pot with three times their volume of unsalted water.
- 3
  Bring to a boil, then cook for 25 minutes, until the lentils are tender and the cooking liquid has been absorbed.
Tomato sauce and slow cooking
- 4
  Peel and slice the onions and celery into rounds. Sauté them over low heat in a saucepan with a little olive oil for 5 to 10 minutes. A reminder for beginners: never let the onions burn; always cook them covered, over low heat, and check on them from time to time!
- 5
  Once the onions are translucent, add the tomato purée and the lentils. If you have any herbs—such as thyme, bay leaves, or sage—now is the time to add them. They’ll give your tomato sauce even more flavor!
- 6
  Season with salt and pepper to taste, then cover and let all the ingredients simmer over low heat for at least 5 minutes...and there you go—it's ready! Easy, right?!

Notes

SERVING SUGGESTION: Serve these lentils with rice for a complete, protein-rich meal. Grains help the body absorb the protein found in legumes, and the combination of rice and lentils is particularly popular among vegetarians.

Comments

Elisabeth
March 31, 2020
A great idea for a last-minute meal—it was delicious and filling!
The recipe is clear and well illustrated… thanks to the cook!
Reply

About
ratatouille

My name is Pascal

I live at Tournefeuille

My culinary biography As someone who is passionate about cooking and good food, I enjoy traditional dishes just as much as contemporary cuisine. Whether it’s for everyday meals or special occasions, I much prefer to cook for myself and (often) learn from my mistakes rather than give in to the temptation of “ready-made” meals!