Lentil Power Bowl (Printable Version)

Tender lentils and roasted vegetables over wholesome grains with creamy tahini dressing.

# Ingredient List:

→ Grains

01 - 1 cup quinoa or brown rice, uncooked
02 - 2 cups water or vegetable broth

→ Lentils

03 - 1 cup green or brown lentils, rinsed
04 - 2.5 cups water
05 - 1 bay leaf
06 - 0.5 teaspoon salt

→ Roasted Vegetables

07 - 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and cubed
08 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
09 - 1 zucchini, sliced
10 - 1 red onion, sliced
11 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
12 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
13 - 0.5 teaspoon ground cumin
14 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Tahini Dressing

15 - 0.25 cup tahini
16 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
17 - 2 tablespoons water, plus more as needed
18 - 1 tablespoon maple syrup
19 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
20 - 0.5 teaspoon salt

→ Toppings

21 - 2 tablespoons pumpkin seeds
22 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
02 - Toss sweet potato, bell pepper, zucchini, and red onion with olive oil, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 25-30 minutes, stirring halfway through, until golden and tender.
03 - While vegetables roast, combine lentils, water, bay leaf, and salt in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer uncovered for 20-25 minutes until lentils are tender. Drain excess water and discard bay leaf.
04 - In a separate pot, bring 2 cups of water or broth to a boil. Add quinoa or rice, reduce heat, cover, and cook according to package instructions, approximately 15-20 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
05 - Whisk together tahini, lemon juice, water, maple syrup, garlic, and salt until smooth. Add additional water to achieve desired consistency.
06 - Divide cooked grains among serving bowls. Top with cooked lentils and roasted vegetables. Drizzle with tahini dressing and sprinkle with pumpkin seeds and parsley. Serve warm.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in under an hour and actually tastes even better the next day when flavors settle.
  • The tahini dressing is silky enough to feel indulgent while keeping everything plant-based and honest.
  • You can prep components ahead and assemble bowls whenever hunger strikes, making weeknight dinners infinitely easier.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing the lentils—it removes dust and starch that can make them feel grainy rather than clean-tasting and tender.
  • Roasting vegetables is transformative when you give them real estate on the baking sheet instead of crowding them; they need space to caramelize rather than steam.
  • The tahini dressing will thicken slightly as it sits, so taste it right after whisking and add water until it's looser than you think it needs to be.
03 -
  • Taste the lentils toward the end of cooking; they should be tender enough to break with gentle pressure but still hold their shape completely, not mushy at all.
  • Don't be shy with the tahini dressing—it's what transforms this from just another bowl into something genuinely worth craving.
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