21 Lentil Crockpot Recipes for Busy Days: Healthy, Hearty, and Easy

Lentils are a nutritious and budget-friendly ingredient, perfect for creating effortless, hearty meals. These crockpot recipes are ideal for busy moms, offering wholesome, flavorful dishes with minimal prep. From comforting soups to protein-packed stews, these slow-cooked meals make healthy eating effortless.

1. Slow Cooker Lentil Soup

This Slow-Cooker Lentil Soup is a nutritious and hearty option, perfect for busy moms seeking an easy meal. Packed with vegetables and creamy red lentils, it offers a comforting flavor while requiring minimal preparation. The addition of crispy tortilla strips provides a delightful crunch, making this soup satisfying and family-friendly.

2. Hearty Lentil Stew

This hearty Norwegian Lentil Stew offers a warm, comforting meal for busy days. Packed with wholesome vegetables and lentils, it is a filling and nutritious option that requires minimal preparation. This one-pot method streamlines cooking and cleanup, making it an excellent choice for anyone looking for a simple, hearty, healthy meal.

3. Easy Crock Pot Lentil Chili

This Easy Crock Pot Lentil Chili provides a hearty and nutritious meal with minimal preparation, making it ideal for busy moms. You can create a thick, flavorful chili filling packed with plant-based protein by combining lentils, beans, bell peppers, onions, and spices in the slow cooker. With just about 10 minutes of prep time, this “dump and go” recipe allows you to focus on other tasks while it cooks, resulting in a cozy dinner ready to be enjoyed by the whole family.

4. Slow Cooker Coconut Lentil Curry

This Slow Cooker Coconut Lentil Curry offers a flavorful and effortless meal, making it ideal for busy moms. You can create a creamy, satisfying curry with minimal preparation by combining green lentils, spices, and coconut milk in the slow cooker. This dish is delicious but vegan and gluten-free, catering to various dietary needs.

5. Lentil and Sausage Soup

This hearty and flavorful sausage-lentil soup is perfect for busy moms seeking a nutritious option. It combines Italian sausage, lentils, and a variety of vegetables to provide a balanced and satisfying dish. The straightforward recipe allows for easy preparation and possible leftovers for subsequent meals.

6. Quick & Easy Red Lentil Dahl

This Quick and Easy Red Lentil Dahl is a flavorful and nutritious meal for busy moms seeking healthy and hearty options. Made in one pot in just 30 minutes, it combines red lentils with aromatic spices, coconut milk, and spinach to create a rich, creamy stew that’s both satisfying and budget-friendly. Its ease and quick preparation make it a great choice for hectic days when time runs short, but a wholesome dinner remains a priority.

7. Ginger Sweet Potato Coconut Milk Stew with Lentils & Kale

This Ginger Sweet Potato and Coconut Milk Stew with Lentils and Kale is a flavorful and hearty meal for busy days. This stew blends sweet potatoes, lentils, and kale in a spiced coconut milk broth, offering a nourishing and satisfying meal with minimal prep. Its vibrant flavors and wholesome ingredients make it an excellent addition to lentil crockpot recipes.

8. Slow Cooker Lentil Bolognese

This Slow Cooker Lentil Bolognese offers a hearty and protein-packed vegan alternative to traditional meat sauces, making it an excellent option for busy days. You can create a rich, flavorful sauce with minimal preparation by combining lentils, vegetables, and Italian seasonings in a slow cooker. Serve it over your favorite pasta for a satisfying, healthy meal requiring little hands-on time.

9. Best Lentil Soup

This Best Lentil Soup recipe offers a hearty and healthy meal, perfect for busy days. Combining pantry staples like lentils, vegetables, and simple spices creates a flavorful and satisfying dish with minimal effort. Adding fresh greens and a squeeze of lemon brightens the flavors, making it a nutritious option that’s both comforting and easy to prepare.

10. Lentil Stuffed Peppers

This Lentil-Stuffed Peppers recipe offers a nutritious and satisfying meal for busy days. Cooked lentils and grains are combined with herbs and spices and baked inside bell peppers to create a hearty dish rich in protein and fiber. This versatile recipe accommodates various grains like quinoa, rice, or barley, allowing advanced preparation for added convenience.

11. Lentil Tacos

These Lentil Tacos are flavorful and nutritious, perfect for busy days. By simmering lentils with aromatic spices, onions, and bell peppers, you create a hearty, plant-based taco filling that’s satisfying and easy to prepare. This adaptable recipe supports various toppings and allows for preparation, offering a hassle-free option for those looking for healthy, flavorful meals with minimal effort.

12. Scottish Lentil Soup with Ham Hough

This hearty, comforting Scottish lentil soup with ham hock is perfect for busy moms. It combines red lentils, various vegetables, and flavorful ham hock (pork knuckle), providing a rich source of fiber and protein. This recipe is ideal for batch cooking, allowing you to prepare a large quantity in advance, making weeknight dinners convenient and satisfying.

13. Baked Kitchari Casserole (Spiced Lentil Rice Casserole)

This Baked Kitchari Casserole offers a nourishing and effortless meal, ideal for busy days. Combine rice, red lentils, and warming spices in a single baking dish to create a wholesome casserole with minimal preparation. The blend of spices enhances the flavor and aids digestion, providing a comforting and healthy option for those seeking a simple yet satisfying dish.

14. Butternut Squash and Lentil Stew

This Butternut Squash and Lentil Stew is a comforting and nutritious meal for busy moms. It combines butternut squash, lentils, and a blend of warm spices to create a hearty dish that’s flavorful and satisfying. The recipe allows for flexibility with ingredients and can be served with warm pita bread, naan, or rice, making it a versatile option for family dinners.

15. Saucy Eggplant Lentil Curry

The Eggplant Lentil Curry from Sunglow Kitchen is a hearty and flavorful vegan dish that comes together in about 30 minutes. Inspired by the Indian dish Baingan Bharta, it combines red lentils, eggplant, tomatoes, and coconut milk infused with cumin, coriander, and cinnamon. This curry is comforting and packed with plant-based protein, making it an excellent choice for a nutritious weeknight dinner.

16. Lentil Soup (Italian Vegetable)

This hearty and nutritious Italian vegetable lentil soup is perfect for busy days. It combines lentils with various vegetables and Italian herbs, providing a flavorful and satisfying option that requires minimal preparation. Simple, wholesome ingredients make it healthy and easy to prepare, ideal for those seeking a comforting dish with little hands-on time.

17. Vegan Pumpkin Lentil Curry with Spinach

This Vegan Pumpkin Lentil Curry with Spinach is a flavorful and nutritious meal for busy moms. It blends red lentils, pumpkin purée, and coconut milk, creating a creamy and satisfying curry that comes together in under 30 minutes. Adding baby spinach enhances its nutritional value, making it a wholesome option for a quick and easy dinner.

18. Sautéed Garlic and Cauliflower Red Lentil Stew

This Sautéed Garlic and Cauliflower Red Lentil Stew is a wholesome and filling meal, perfect for busy people. It combines red lentils with sautéed garlic, cauliflower, fresh thyme, and balsamic vinegar to deliver a savory and satisfying flavor profile. This simple recipe requires little prep, making it an excellent option for a nourishing family dinner.

19. Lentil Casserole

This Lentil Casserole offers a comforting and nutritious meal for busy moms. Simmering lentils and kidney beans with diced tomatoes, rosemary, and garlic, then topping with shredded cheddar cheese and broiling briefly, create a hearty dish with minimal preparation. This simple weeknight dish is both hearty and perfect for the whole family.

20. 30-Minute Creamy Carrot Red Lentil Soup

This 30-minute Creamy Carrot Red Lentil Soup offers busy moms a flavorful and nutritious meal. This plant-based soup blends carrots, red lentils, and coconut milk with warm spices, resulting in a cozy, satisfying dish that is quick to prepare. With a total cooking time of about 30 minutes, it’s an ideal option for a wholesome dinner on hectic days.

21. Smoky Chickpea, Cabbage & Lentil Soup with Kale

The Smoked Chickpea, Cabbage, and Lentil Soup with Kale is a hearty and flavorful meal for busy moms. It combines lentils, chickpeas, cabbage, and kale with smoked paprika and thyme, providing a rich, smoky, satisfying, and nutritious taste. With minimal hands-on time, this easy-to-prepare dish is a fantastic option for a wholesome family dinner.