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Lentil Keema Pav Casserole (vegan mince curry bread bake)
5 from 12 votes

Lentil Keema Pav Casserole (vegan mince curry bread bake)

The Lentil Keema Pav Casserole blends richly spiced lentils with aromatic whole and ground spices, simmered alongside vegetables and nuts before being topped with toasted vegan buns. This vegan mince-style curry baked with bread on top offers a hearty, layered texture and deep flavor, combining smoky, savory spices with the earthiness of lentils and the mild sweetness of carrots and peas. It's a comforting bake that can then be served warm as a filling main dish.

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
1 hr 30 mins
Total Time
1 hr 45 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 369 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Indian

Ingredients

For the lentil keema:
  • 2 teaspoons neutral cooking oil generic cooking oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 2 bay leaf
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 black cardamom partly open (or use 2 green cardamom pods partly open, pod
For the aromatics:
  • 1 red onion chopped, medium
  • 6 garlic cloves
  • 1 inch ginger
  • 1 green chili
  • 1/4 cup cilantro stems
For the ground spices:
  • 1/4 teaspoon Turmeric
  • 1 tablespoon coriander powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin ground
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon fenugreek leaves Kasuri methi, dried
  • 1/2 - 1 teaspoon garam masala
  • 1/4 teaspoon dill dried
  • 1/4 teaspoon sage dried
For the lentils:
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 3 cup vegetable stock or more if needed
  • 3/4 cup lentils washed and soaked for 15 minutes, dried
  • 1/4 cup carrot frozen, mixed
  • 1/4 cup peas frozen, mixed
  • 1/4 cup walnuts coarsely chopped
  • 3 tablespoons Non-Dairy yogurt or cashew cream
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt divided
To top the keema lentils:
  • 4 hot dog buns vegan; or 8 dinner rolls
  • vegan butter melted; or oil; as needed
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • cilantro for garnish, and lemon juice

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Cook whole spices: Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Place a 9x12” baking dish in the oven to heat up while the oven is preheating. Once hot, remove the baking dish carefully from the oven, add the oil and whole spices, mix well, and set it aside.
  2. Bake the aromatics: Add the onion, garlic, ginger, green chili, and cilantro stems to a food processor, and process until everything is finely chopped. Then add this mixture to the whole spices mixture. Add the ground spices and 1/2 teaspoon salt, mix really well, and even them out. Bake for 15-18 minutes in the preheated oven, stirring once in between.
  3. Once the mixture is somewhat golden, remove the baking dish from the oven and add the tomato paste, yogurt, and veggie stock, and mix really well.
  4. Bake the lentils: Add the drained lentils, peas, carrots, walnuts, and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and mix in. Even it out and cover it with parchment paper. Bake in the oven for 1 hour. Brown lentils take a little bit of time to cook.
  5. Check at the 50-minute mark to see if the lentils are cooked to your preference, and if you need more liquid. add more warm water or stock (roughly 1/2 -1 cup).
  6. Once the lentils are cooked to your preference, remove the baking dish from the oven.
  7. Halve the hot dog buns or dinner rolls and place on top of the lentil mixture and brush them with oil or melted vegan butter. Sprinkle salt, paprika, and place the baking dish back in the oven to bake until the bread is golden, 10-12 minutes.
  8. Remove it from the oven and add cilantro and lemon juice. Slice and serve immediately.

Notes

  • Prepare the lentil mixture ahead and store the dinner rolls separately until ready to bake and serve.
  • Top the lentil casserole with rolls brushed in oil before baking to achieve a crispy, golden finish.
  • You can serve the lentil keema and rolls separately if preferred, allowing flexible meal assembly.

Nutrition Information

Calories 369kcal (18%) Carbohydrates 55g (18%) Protein 16g (32%) Fat 11g (17%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Sodium 695mg (29%) Potassium 630mg (13%) Fiber 16g (64%) Sugar 5g (10%) Vitamin A 1387IU (28%) Vitamin C 11mg (12%) Calcium 172mg (17%) Iron 6mg (33%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4 Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 369

% Daily Value*

Calories 369kcal 18%
Carbohydrates 55g 18%
Protein 16g 32%
Fat 11g 17%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Sodium 695mg 29%
Potassium 630mg 13%
Fiber 16g 64%
Sugar 5g 10%
Vitamin A 1387IU 28%
Vitamin C 11mg 12%
Calcium 172mg 17%
Iron 6mg 33%

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