Lentil Pasta with Vegetables (Printable View)

Wholesome pasta combined with protein-rich lentils and roasted garden vegetables for a tasty meal.

# What You Need:

→ Pasta & Lentils

01 - 10 oz whole wheat or regular pasta (penne or fusilli)
02 - 1 cup cooked brown or green lentils (drained and rinsed if canned)

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 medium zucchini, diced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, chopped
05 - 1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
06 - 1 small red onion, sliced
07 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
08 - 2 tbsp olive oil
09 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Seasonings & Garnishes

10 - 1 tsp dried oregano
11 - 1/2 tsp dried thyme
12 - 1/2 tsp chili flakes (optional)
13 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
14 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley or basil
15 - 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese (optional, omit for vegan)

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat the oven to 410°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Arrange zucchini, bell peppers, onion, and cherry tomatoes on the baking sheet. Drizzle with 1.5 tablespoons olive oil, sprinkle with oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat evenly.
03 - Roast the vegetables for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until tender and slightly caramelized.
04 - While vegetables roast, cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain pasta.
05 - Heat the remaining 0.5 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and chili flakes if using. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
06 - Add cooked lentils and roasted vegetables to the skillet. Toss to combine thoroughly.
07 - Add drained pasta to the skillet. Add reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the mixture. Stir well and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
08 - Remove from heat. Sprinkle with fresh parsley or basil and grated Parmesan if desired. Serve warm.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 45 minutes and feels substantial enough to satisfy even the skeptics at your table.
  • The roasted vegetables caramelize while you cook the pasta, so everything finishes at once without the usual juggling.
  • You get protein from lentils without any fussiness, and the whole dish adapts beautifully to whatever vegetables you have on hand.
02 -
  • Don't skip reserving pasta water—it's starchy and magic for bringing the whole dish together without needing cream or butter.
  • Roasted vegetables release moisture as they cool, so taste for seasoning right before serving and adjust salt and pepper one final time.
  • Fresh herbs added at the end make an enormous difference; dried herbs in the roasting phase are fine, but fresh ones at the table feel like a completely different dish.
03 -
  • If your roasted vegetables finish early, toss them lightly with oil and keep them warm—they won't dry out and the flavors actually deepen as they sit.
  • The pasta water is your secret ingredient; it's not a last resort but the key to tying everything together with grace instead of heaviness.
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