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Creamy Lentil and Vegetable Bake (Vegan, Gluten-Free)

A simple and flavorful recipe that's sure to be a favorite.

Prep Time
35 mins
Cook Time
1 hr 35 mins
Total Time
1 hr 45 mins
Servings: 8
Calories: 425 kcal
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Cashew Cream
  • 1 cup (112g) raw cashews, soaked for 1 hour in boiling water
  • 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons (~150 mL) water
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
  • 1½ tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt + more to taste
  • freshly ground black pepper to taste
Roasted Vegetables
  • 1 large head of cauliflower, cut into florets
  • 1 large sweet potato, peeled
  • 6 medium carrots, peeled
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Creamy Lentils
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large sweet onion, diced
  • 6 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 ½ cups French green lentils (also known as Puy lentils*)
  • 4 cups vegetable broth or water
  • A handful of thyme sprigs
  • 1/4 cup Tahini
  • 2 tablespoons white or yellow miso paste
  • 2 tablespoons high-quality balsamic vinegar**

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Cover the cashews with boiling water and allow to soak for 1 hour. When done soaking, drain well and rinse.
  2. Preheat the oven to 400°F/205°C. Line two large sheet pans with parchment paper (optional, but for easy cleanup).
  3. Prepare the vegetables. Cut the cauliflower into florets, and chop the peeled sweet potato into roughly equal size as the florets. Chop the carrots into slightly smaller pieces than the sweet potato (they take longer to cook). Toss the vegetables with the oil and generously season with salt and pepper. If the veggies seem dry, add a bit more oil as needed. Spread the veggies out in a single layer on the prepared sheet pans. Roast in the oven until they are browned in some spots and soft, tossing once during cooking, about 25 to 30 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F/175°C (or turn off until ready to assemble the bake).
  4. While the vegetables are roasting, cook the lentils. Heat a deep sauté pan or Dutch oven over medium heat and add the 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil. Add the diced sweet onion and cook until lightly browned, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
  5. Deglaze the pan with the vegetable broth or water, and then add the French green lentils and thyme sprigs. Bring to a boil, and then reduce to a rapid simmer. Simmer until most of the liquid is absorbed and the lentils are tender but still al dente, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove the thyme sprigs and add the tahini, miso paste, and balsamic vinegar. Stir well to combine and taste for seasonings, adding salt or pepper as desired.
  6. While the vegetables are roasting and the lentils are cooking, make the cashew cream. To a high-powered blender or food processor, add the soaked and drained cashews, water, garlic, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon sea salt and black pepper to taste. Blend until smooth and creamy. If you need a bit more water to blend the cashews, add 1-2 more tablespoons. You can also prepare the cashew cream a few days in advance, if desired.
  7. Assemble the bake: If the oven is off, heat it 350°F/175°C. Layer the roasted vegetables on the bottom of a 13×9-inch baking pan or 3-liter casserole (or in two smaller baking pans). Top with the cooked lentils and then pour the cashew cream on top, smoothing it out over the entire surface. Bake for 20 minutes, until warmed through. If desired, turn on the oven broiler and broil for a minute or two until the cashew cream is browned in some spots.
  8. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.

Notes

  • * Depending on the brand you use, the equivalent of 1 1/2 cups French green lentils in grams might be anywhere from 210 grams to 315 grams. See notes in the blog post for substituting French green lentils.
  • ** You don’t need to use a super fancy bottle of balsamic vinegar, but avoid the $2-3 bottles, as they taste mostly like alcohol and don’t have the rich sticky, viscous texture and deep sweetness as traditionally aged balsamic vinegars.

Nutrition Information

Calories 425kcal (21%) Carbohydrates 51g (17%) Protein 18g (36%) Fat 18g (28%) Saturated Fat 3g (15%) Polyunsaturated Fat 4g Monounsaturated Fat 10g Sodium 312mg (13%) Potassium 1104mg (32%) Fiber 17g (68%) Sugar 10g (20%) Vitamin A 13696IU (274%) Vitamin C 44mg (49%) Calcium 102mg (10%) Iron 5mg (28%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 425

% Daily Value*

Calories 425kcal 21%
Carbohydrates 51g 17%
Protein 18g 36%
Fat 18g 28%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4g 24%
Monounsaturated Fat 10g 50%
Sodium 312mg 13%
Potassium 1104mg 23%
Fiber 17g 68%
Sugar 10g 20%
Vitamin A 13696IU 274%
Vitamin C 44mg 49%
Calcium 102mg 10%
Iron 5mg 28%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.