Lentil Power Bowl (Printable)

Tender lentils over quinoa with roasted sweet potatoes, bell peppers, and zucchini in creamy tahini dressing.

# What You'll Need:

→ 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 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 - 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 - 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 reach desired consistency.
06 - Divide grains among 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 transforms simple pantry staples into a meal that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.
  • Every component can be prepped ahead and assembled in minutes when hunger strikes.
  • The tahini dressing pulls everything together with a creamy, tangy richness that makes vegetables taste like a treat.
  • It keeps you full for hours without that heavy, sluggish feeling some meals leave behind.
02 -
  • Don't skip stirring the vegetables halfway through roasting or the bottoms will burn while the tops stay pale.
  • Tahini dressing will thicken as it sits, so whisk in a splash of warm water to bring it back to life before serving.
  • Overcooking lentils turns them into mush, so start checking for tenderness at 20 minutes and drain them immediately when they're done.
03 -
  • Roast extra vegetables and keep them in the fridge for quick grain bowls, wraps, or salads all week.
  • Toast the pumpkin seeds in a dry pan for a minute before sprinkling them on top, it brings out a deeper, richer flavor.
  • If your tahini is too thick, stir in a tablespoon of warm water before you start making the dressing to save yourself the arm workout.
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