Lentil Curry Casserole

5 from 114 votes

Lentil Curry Casserole

Make this easy Vegan Curry Lentil Casserole whenever that craving for restaurant-style creamy Indian lentil dishes hits. Brown lentils simmered in a fragrant coconut curry broth, served over rice! So easy, so delicious. Gluten-free, too.

Prep Time5

Cook Time1 20

Total Time1 25

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Indian

Keyword: lentil casserole, lentils with coconut milk, vegan lentil curries

Servings:

Author: Vegan Richa

Ingredients

2 tsp oil
3 cloves garlic minced
¼ cup onion finely chopped
1 hot green chili finely chopped
½ tsp ground cumin
½ tsp ground coriander
½ tsp turmeric
½ - 1 tsp garam masala or curry powder
1 bay leaf
⅛ tsp black pepper
1 good pinch of cinnamon
¾ cup of lentils brown or green
14 oz can tomatoes
14 oz can coconut milk
2 ½ cups Vegetable broth or water divided
¾ tsp salt divided
2 Tbsp almond butter or cashew butter or use sun butter to make it nut-free - warmed
Lemon juice and cilantro for garnish

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Add oil to a casserole dish. (8 by 11 inch or similar size or use a dutch oven). Add in garlic, onion, green chili, spices and ¼ tsp salt - mix well. Preheat the oven to 400℉ (205C)
Once heated, place the casserole dish in the oven for 5-8 minutes or until onions start to turn golden
Remove dish from the oven and add in the lentils, tomatoes, coconut milk, remaining salt and 2 cups of broth, mix well. (reserve 2 tbsp coconut milk for garnish if you wish)
Place the dish back in the oven , cover with parchment and bake for 1 hour or 1 hour and 10 mins or until lentils are cooked to preference (taste using a spoonful to see if they’re done)
Once done, remove the dish from the oven, and while the mixture is still hot, first mix almond butter with warmed 1/4 to 1/2 cup of broth, add this mixture in, and stir until combined
Adjust flavor and spice as needed. Add in some lemon juice and Garam masala. sprinkle cilantro and non dairy yogurt for garnish, as desired
Serve with some fresh rice, flatbread, naan bread, or pita bread

Video

Notes

You can also use red lentils in this recipe. Use 1 cup red lentils and check to see if they are done after 35 minutes.
I recommend full-fat coconut milk for the ultimate creaminess.
You can use sun butter instead of almond butter to make it nut-free.
As always, feel free to add more veg or more seasoning to really make this your own.
To make this without garlic and onion, omit them and add 1/8 tsp fenugreek seed powder to the spices.

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