The Ultimate Winter Lentil & Roast Veg Bake | Rebel Recipes (2024)

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The perfect centre piece for your festive lunch – a layer of green lentils, caramelised onions and then a delicious roast veg mash as a topping. Delicious indeed.

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The Ultimate Winter Lentil & Roast Veg Bake | Rebel Recipes (2)

Can you believe Christmas is nearly here?

Seriously, it honestly feels like it was only yesterday I was carving pumpkins and eating sweets for dinner. I blinked, and it’s all festive all the time–but I don’t mind, I absolutely adore Christmas.

We always spend Christmas in Spain–I love the crisp mountain air, the bright blue days and the freezing chilly nights that are just begging to be finished with a warming lightly spiced hot cocoa sitting in front of an open fire.

Every Christmas Day we head to our friend’s house to spend the festivities with them, and we all bring a dish with us. I always end up making a big lentil bake but I’ve never actually written the recipe down before–it’s always just mixed and matched on the day, which makes it extra special as it’s never the same as last years.

But I think, this year, I absolutely nailed it, in making the Ultimate Winter Lentil and Roast Vegetable Bake so I had to write the recipe down. Plus, so many of you saw this on my Social Media and asked for the recipe–so, here, my little Christmas present to all of you–my delicious luxury Christmas vegan main, that everyone will enjoy!

I’m writing this a little early–one, so you can all shop and prepare ready for the big day but two, because this year we are heading to a retreat in Kerala, India over the holidays–so lots of delicious, spiced Indian dishes and even more yoga for me.

I honestly can’t wait. I’ve travelled India a lot in my 20s and it has such a special place in my heart, just like this dish has–which is why you are all here, I’ll stop my day dreaming and tell you more about this mouth-watering feast which I serve with steamed broccoli and sautéed vegetables and the ultimate vegan stuffing.

I made the base of this dish with lots of fresh vegetables that have been roasted to perfection. Something just magical happens when you roast vegetables. Their exterior goes sweet, crisp and charred and they become almost custard-like on the inside, making them the perfect acquaintance and component to the rich earthy lentils and crunchy walnut topping.

I served this dish in one pan–making it the perfect hearty, healthy winter food that everyone can share around the table and get stuck into family style. After all, isn’t that what Christmas is all about? Sharing delicious food with the ones you love.

Use your favourite winter vegetables in this dish. You can add in carrots and parsnips for an extra layer of deliciousness or remove the sweet potatoes for normal should you wish.

The caramelised onions can be made or store-brought to save time and you can add blitzed breadcrumbs to the walnut topping for extra crunch. Alternatively, you can use sunflower seeds if you don’t want to use nuts.

Green lentils can be used instead of red or pearl barely can be subbed–it will reduce the earthy, rich taste but will still be super delicious. The mushrooms can also be removed, but I would recommend keeping them in as it really completes the texture and flavour of the dish–but then mushrooms are one of my favourite ingredients, so maybe I’m a little biased here.

As this dish has quite a few elements and takes a while to prepare, you can make this dish the night before the big event. The flavours improve overnight as they soak into all the wonderful vegetables.

Feel free to cook all the night before and assemble and bake on the day, or bake the day before and re-heat. Both work just and each other. Unlike most of my dishes, this one doesn’t freeze that well. But portioned in the fridge and re-heated the next day amazes, especially when topped with a fresh cranberry sauce and a little splash of leftover gravy!

If you like this recipe, why not give one of my other tray-bakes a go?

My variant on a Winter Layered Smokey Lentil and Squash Bake has a gooey ‘cheesy’ sauce that is perfect for cosy Sunday Lunches and my Roast Pepper, Tomato and Caramelised Onion White Bean Bake uses up all my favourite ingredients and is finished with a deliciously creamy and flavoursome spiced coconut milk sauce for the ultimate comfort dish.

I hope you have the most magical Christmas–eat lots, spend time with your friends and family and just relax, rest and renew. I’ll be off eating lots of curries!

The Ultimate Winter Lentil & Roast Veg Bake | Rebel Recipes (3)

4-6 servings

4.84 from 6 votes

Ingredients

For the roast veg topping

  • 1/2 large cauliflower chopped into florets
  • 1 medium sweet potato peeled and chopped into small chunks
  • 3 carrots peeled and chopped into small chunks
  • 2 medium potatoes peeled and chopped into small chunks
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Sea salt
  • Black pepper
  • 2 tbsp coconut yogurt or plant-based yogurt
  • 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 1 tsp Dion mustard
  • Black pepper

For the caramelised onions

  • 3 onions roughly chopped into slices
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Pinch sea salt

For the filling ingredients

  • 2 large onions chopped roughly
  • 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 6 cloves garlic sliced
  • 300 g dark green or Puy lentils rinsed
  • 1.5 L water
  • 1 tbsp bouillon stock
  • 250 g mushrooms chopped
  • Juice 1/2 lemon
  • 2 tsp sea salt
  • 2 tbsp balsamic glaze
  • 1 tbsp vegan Worcester sauce
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tsp tamari
  • Twist black pepper

For the toppings

  • Handful walnuts
  • Drizzle olive oil

Instructions

To make the veg topping

  • Heat your oven to 180c

  • Add the veg to one large or two baking trays. Toss with olive oil and season well. Bake the veg 35-40 minutes until cooked.

  • Allow to cool a little, then add to a large bowl. Mash the veg roughly with a fork or masher, then add the other ingredients. Mash into the veg. Set aside.

To caramelise the onions

  • Add the onion to a large pan with the olive oil and sauté for 20 minutes on a low heat until soft and caramelised. Set aside.

To make the filling

  • Add the oil to a large pan and heat to a low to medium heat. Add the onion and for approx 8-10 minutes until soft and browning. Add in the garlic and stir for another few minutes, then add in the lentils, water, and bouillon.

  • Bring to the boil and boil for 10 minutes, then down the heat to low, add the mushrooms and simmer for 30 minutes. Add a little more water if needed.

  • Stir in all the remaining ingredients.

To compile the bake

  • Add the lentils to a large casserole tray, spread over the base.

  • Then spread the caramelised onions over the lentils.

  • Top with the mashed veg, spreading out to cover everything.

  • Sprinkle with the walnuts (brake up a little) and a drizzle of olive oil

  • Bake for 20 minutes on 180c.

  • Remove from the oven to cool a little.

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Discuss this Recipe with Niki

The Ultimate Winter Lentil & Roast Veg Bake | Rebel Recipes (10)

47 Responses

  1. The Ultimate Winter Lentil & Roast Veg Bake | Rebel Recipes (11)
    Just made this for dinner. Wow, very tasty.. Definitely will use this for Christmas this year. Yum!! Three thimbs from my house!

    Reply

  2. The Ultimate Winter Lentil & Roast Veg Bake | Rebel Recipes (12)
    This was delicious. Next time I will use less water to cook the lentils and add more vegetables. The flavors were fantastic.

    Reply

    1. Very happy you liked!
      Much love, Niki xxx

      Reply

  3. Could I make this the day before and then cook it in the oven the day after. I dont want it to go dry overnight. Thank you.

    Reply

    1. Hi Di
      Yes definitley.
      Love, Niki xx

      Reply

  4. Hi! This looks so good! Can I use brown lentils instead?

    Reply

    1. You can most certainly use brown lentils.
      Love
      Nikixx

      Reply

  5. Hi just in the process of making this for dinner tonight. What consistency should the lentil mix be before you layer it. Mine seem to be taking a while to cook the water out. Should it be quite a wet mix ? Thanks

    Reply

    1. Hi Gill
      It shouldnt be too too wet. What type of lentils are you using.
      Love
      Niki xxx

      Reply

  6. Hi, I really want to make this, but I dislike sweet potatoes, intensely. Can I sub with reg potatoes?

    Thanks

    Reply

    1. Absolutely! Would work really well xxxx

      Reply

  7. The Ultimate Winter Lentil & Roast Veg Bake | Rebel Recipes (13)
    I did this as a Christmas dinner – rave reviews throughout – really good :-)! I made it the day before, and that worked really well. It does take quite a bit of prep, so doing it in advance is the key. I will definitely do this again as an impressive dinner. Next time – I’d add less salt and perhaps a tad less balsamic, but to be honest it was really, really good – the turkey eaters switched to this for seconds!

    Reply

    1. Hi Martyn
      Fantastic news! So happy it was a hit for your Christmas feast!
      Love
      Niki xxx

      Reply

  8. Do you think this would still be good without mushrooms? Or will it throw off the consistency?

    Thanks for the inspiration!

    Reply

    1. Hi Jackie
      I think it would be absolutely fine. A little different in terms of texture but still good.
      Love
      Niki xxx

      Reply

  9. Many thanks for this idea. I changed it slightly to suit my taste.

    Used half pearl barley, half lentils, added roasted pasnips and instead of walnuts, spread a hefty layer of whole cranberry sauce over the top before baking. Delicious.

    Reply

    1. Hi Sue
      Absolutely love your swaps, sounds delicious!
      Love
      Nikixxx

      Reply

  10. The Ultimate Winter Lentil & Roast Veg Bake | Rebel Recipes (14)
    Hi

    This looks great and I am sure all manner of variations will be possible according to what’s on hand and the season or theme of the occasion. Can i ask how it “lands” .. as a loaf that can be sliced, or more like a lasagna? I’m sure there have never been any leftovers , but if there were, is it nice cold?

    Thanks!

    Reply

    1. Hi Shelia
      Definitely! Any seasonal veg is good.
      Its more like a lasagne and I would happily eat it cold but it can be heated again.
      Love
      Niki xxx

      Reply

  11. Looks delicious – I’m going to make it this week. Just wondering about the bullion stock though – isn’t that beef?

    Reply

    1. Hi Jane
      It’s vegan.
      But just use a good veg stock if you can’t find☺️
      Enjoy
      Xx

      Reply

  12. Is there anything you can sub for balsamic glaze?

    Reply

    1. Hi Rosanne
      Yes sure, balsamic vinegar will still work well.
      My best
      Niki xx

      Reply

  13. Can this be freeze?? Making this right now and Im wondering? Smell AMAZING

    Reply

    1. Hi Trish
      I hope you enjoyed?
      I haven’t tried freezing it but I think it would be fine.
      My best
      Niki xx

      Reply

    2. What side dish would you serve with this??

      Reply

      1. Any steamed or sautéed veggies would be fab
        I like broccoli.
        Love
        Niki xxx

        Reply

  14. Hi this looks fantastic, but just wondering if I could sub the green lentils for red lentils? Fussy daughter alert heehee xx

    Reply

    1. Hi Mandy
      Absolutely, will be a little less earthy but still delicious.
      Love
      Niki xx

      Reply

  15. Looks so delicious!!! Can I sub the vegan worschester sauce for anything else?

    Reply

    1. Hi Megan
      If you can’t find any, I’d just leave it out. Still delicious.
      Love
      Niki xx

      Reply

  16. Is there anything else I could use instead of walnuts as my son is allergic to nuts? Thank you!

    Reply

    1. Hi Gemma
      I would use sunflower seeds of just leave off, just as yummy!
      Love
      Niki xx

      Reply

  17. Love this! Do you think this would freeze ok?

    Reply

    1. Hi Laura
      I haven’t tried but I think so. I would probably freeze in smaller batches.
      Best
      Niki xx

      Reply

  18. Look so delicious and beautiful

    Reply

    1. Thank you so much

      Reply

  19. Fantastic, thanks for sharing, this is the recipe I was looking for Christmas Day. I will have to make it the day ahead but I’m sure it will be great warmed up. They are forecasting 28 degrees on Christmas Day here in Adelaide, Australia.

    Reply

    1. Hi Melanie
      It’s perfect to make ahead. So happy you like and hope you enjoyed?
      Love
      Niki xx

      Reply

  20. Looks amazing ! Will make for Christmas Eve dinner .Thanks !

    Reply

    1. Fantastic! I hope you enjoyed?
      Best
      Niki x

      Reply

    2. This was amazing! My boyfriend and I loved it!

      Reply

      1. Fantastic!
        So happy
        xx

        Reply

  21. Totally making this for my Christmas lunch! thankyou for the inspiration and saving me a ton of hassle on the day!

    Reply

    1. Hi Hayley
      Amazing! I hope you enjoyed.
      Much love
      Niki xx

      Reply

  22. This looks like it could be easily prepared the day before and then assembled and baked the following day. Looking forward to trying it!

    Reply

    1. It definitely can, infant the flavours Improve.
      Love
      Niki.

      Reply

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The Ultimate Winter Lentil & Roast Veg Bake | Rebel Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What do lentils pair well with? ›

If you have a few root vegetables hanging out in your fridge, those are also great with lentils, like in this warm lentil and root vegetable salad with parsnips and carrots. Lentils are particularly nice with cheese, as in this grilled halloumi and lentil salad.

What vegetables are lentils? ›

Lentils, along with beans and peas, belong to a group of vegetables called pulses. They have a similar nutrient profile to beans but due to their smaller size they cook much quicker than dry beans and don't require pre-soaking.

How to cook puy lentils in the UK? ›

Bring the pot to a boil.

Then reduce to a very low simmer, cover, and set your timer for 20 to 30 minutes. The cook time will vary slightly based on the variety: Green Lentils: 18 to 20 minutes. Lentils de Puy: 25 to 30 minutes.

Is it OK to eat lentils everyday? ›

Most people can enjoy lentils as part of their regular diet without any concern. But lentils also contain natural compounds called anti-nutrients. These substances bind with nutrients like iron and zinc, making them harder for our bodies to absorb. Soaking and cooking lentils can help reduce this effect.

Are lentils good for a bad stomach? ›

Support the digestive system

Lentils are especially rich in prebiotic fibre which promotes digestive function and 'fuels' the beneficial gut bacteria which are so important for our health. A diet rich in fibre is associated with a number of health benefits including a reduced risk of colorectal cancer.

Are lentils healthier than beans? ›

Bottom line: Lentils and beans are both part of a healthy diet! They are very similar nutritionally and nutrient-dense: high in protein, fiber, and nutrients, and low in fat.

Are lentils mostly carbs or protein? ›

Lentils are high in fibre, and complex carbohydrates, while low in fat and calories. Their high protein content makes lentils a perfect option for those looking to boost their protein intake. They are naturally gluten-free, making them a delicious staple in a gluten-free kitchen.

What are the healthiest lentils to eat? ›

Urad dal or black lentil is one of the most nutritious pulses known to mankind. Low in fat and calories, Urad dal helps to improve digestion. With it being a rich source of protein and vitamin B3, it makes our bones stronger and is said to boost energy levels, enhance heart health and strengthen our nervous system.

What are Puy lentils called in the USA? ›

Le Puy green lentil is a small, mottled, slate-gray/green lentil of the Lens esculenta puyensis (or L. culinaris puyensis) variety. In the US, this type of lentil may be grown and sold as French green lentils or Puy lentils.

What is the difference between lentils and Puy lentils? ›

Puy lentils: These grey-green lentils, grown in the French region of Le Puy, are often more expensive than other common cooking varieties and are thought to be superior in texture (which they retain after cooking) and taste.

What are the best tasting lentils? ›

Black Beluga lentils have the most flavor, adding a rich, earthy taste and a firm texture that holds up well during cooking. Black lentils will be ready in 20–25 minutes; however, they will fall apart like their brown, green, and red partners once you cook them for too long.

What to pair with lentils for complete protein? ›

Alternatively, a full complement of amino acids can be achieved by pairing lentils with whole grains such as rice or wheat. Lentils are also a great source of fiber, vitamin B1 and folic acid, and are naturally gluten-free.

What meat can you eat with lentils? ›

A hearty and so-delicious lentil stew featuring beef and warming Moroccan-style spices for the ultimate bowl of comfort that's good for you, too! Each serving boasts 7 grams of fiber and 30 grams of protein thanks to the easy-to-cook slow-cooked lentils.

What protein pairs with lentils? ›

Grains Grains, such as rice, oats, wheat, rye and corn, can act as complementary proteins for legumes such as lentils. They contain the cysteine and methionine that lentils lack, and lentils provide the lysine that grains do not contain enough of.

Is lentils and rice a good combination? ›

A combination of rice and lentils can be found in almost all cultures of the world. It makes sense together because you get the carbohydrates from the rice while deriving your protein from the lentils. The thing that makes them delicious is proper cooking techniques.

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