Description
This delicious vegetarian Mexican lentil dish is perfect for comforting dinners. Made with hearty brown lentils, black beans, sweet potatoes, and a blend of aromatic spices, it simmers to tender perfection. Topped with cheddar cheese, it’s a flavorful and nutritious meal that is easy to prepare and satisfying for the whole family.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables & Legumes
- 2 cups sweet potatoes, diced (or regular potatoes or carrots)
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced (or white onion or shallots)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced (fresh preferred)
- 1 cup brown lentils (or green lentils, adjust cooking time)
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed (any canned beans can be used)
- 1 can diced tomatoes (preferably no-salt-added)
- 1 cup frozen corn (or fresh corn when in season)
Spices & Condiments
- 1 teaspoon cumin (ground coriander as alternative)
- 1 tablespoon chili powder (smoked paprika can be used)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste (or substitute with diced fresh tomatoes)
Liquids & Oils
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (or avocado oil)
- 4 cups broth (vegetable or chicken, low-sodium recommended)
Dairy
- 1 cup cheddar cheese (or vegan cheese for dairy-free option)
Instructions
- Heat the Oil: In a large pot over medium heat, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil until shimmering.
- Sauté Onion: Add the diced yellow onion and sauté until translucent and soft, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
- Add Garlic and Spices: Stir in the minced garlic, diced sweet potatoes, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 tablespoon chili powder, and 2 tablespoons tomato paste. Cook for a few minutes until fragrant, allowing the spices to bloom and the tomato paste to slightly caramelize.
- Add Lentils and Beans: Pour in 1 cup brown lentils, 1 can black beans, 1 can diced tomatoes, 1 cup frozen corn, and 4 cups broth. Stir well to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Simmer the Stew: Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover the pot and let it simmer for 25-30 minutes until the lentils are tender and the sweet potatoes are cooked through.
- Season and Serve: Taste the stew and season with salt and pepper as desired. Serve hot, topped with 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese to add richness and meltiness.
Notes
- You can substitute sweet potatoes with regular potatoes or carrots based on preference or seasonality.
- For a dairy-free or vegan version, use vegan cheese and vegetable broth.
- Adjust the cooking time if using green lentils as they cook faster than brown lentils.
- Use low-sodium broth and no-salt-added canned tomatoes and beans to better control salt content.
- Smoked paprika can be used instead of chili powder for a smoky flavor twist.
