Pasta with Lentils

This is a favorite in my household. It is a comfort food.

• Prep time: 5 minutes
• Cook time: 35 minutes
• Servings: 3

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups of rinsed brown or green lentils
• 1 1/4 cups short pasta shapes (ditalini, elbows, orecchiette, mezzi rigatoni...)
• 5 cups vegetable broth
• 8 cherry tomatoes cut into halves OR 1/3 cup of diced tomatoes OR an addition tbsp of tomato paste. I use tomato paste.
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1/4 tsp ground cumin
• 2 bay leaves
• salt to taste
• 1/8 tsp black pepper

Instructions

• Heat oil in lagr pot over medium heat. Add onion and saute for 5 minutes
• Add garlic, tomatoes, bay leaves and stir for a minute. Canned tomatoes wait for the next step
• Add lentils, cumin, tomato paste, canned tomatoes (if used), broth and pepper.
• Increase heat and bring to a simmer. Simmer with a lid on for 20 - 25 minutes until lentils are soft.
• Taste and adjust seasonings
• Add pasta and cook gently over medium heat until al dente.