12 Lentil Quinoa Meals Perfect for Weeknight Meals!

Let’s talk about the power of combining lentils and quinoa. Not only are you creating a high protein dish that you can as is, but you’ve also created a wonderful base to add fresh vegetables, stick in tacos or sloppy joes, or even soup. On their own, quinoa and lentils definitely back a healthy punch. Lentils are inexpensive and easy to make a big batch to have on hand or freeze. Quinoa is also great to make a big batch of to use for these meals or even a breakfast quinoa bowl.

Enjoy these recipes that take advantage of the quinoa lentil pairing!

1. Quinoa Lentil Salad with Roasted Eggplant 

Source: Quinoa Lentil Salad with Roasted Eggplant

This Quinoa Lentil Salad with Roasted Eggplant by Lenia Patsi is delicious and nutritious! It’s made with beluga lentils, quinoa, eggplant, and sun-dried tomatoes. So easy and healthy! You can always add in leftover vegetables if you need! The pesto dressing has the delicious addition of nutritional yeast, which takes this salad to the next level.

2. Crockpot Quinoa Lentil Tacos

Source: Crockpot Quinoa Lentil Tacos

Tis the season to break out the crock pot, especially for these quinoa lentil tacos!!! These Crockpot Quinoa Lentil Tacos by Crissy Cavanaugh are great to make when you don’t feel like pulling out all your pots and pans to make a meal.

3. Mixed Lentil Quinoa Soup

Source: Mixed Lentil Quinoa Soup

Two kinds of lentils are the secret to the substance of this Mixed Lentil Quinoa Soup by Jenn Sebestyen and Kelli Foster Kelli Foster. The red lentils cook quickly and nearly disappear into the soup, giving it body, while the green lentils retain their shape and offer texture.

4. Lentil Quinoa Loaf

Source: Lentil Quinoa Loaf

When it comes to making meals for a family or even for one person, batch cooking can save so much time. This Lentil Quinoa Loaf by Zuzana Fajkusova and Nikki Lefler makes a large portion so you can refrigerate or freeze half of the meal to have on hand on busy days. Just pop it in the oven or a pan and heat it and enjoy!

5. Lentil Quinoa Burger

Source: Lentil Quinoa Burger

The season of outdoor and BBQ dining is in a full swift. This yummy and super healthy Lentil Quinoa Burger by Lena Novak is for those of you who prefer to make veggie burgers at home from scratch.

6. Lentil Quinoa Salad with Nutritional Yeast Dressing

Source: Lentil Quinoa Salad with Nutritional Yeast Dressing

This Lentil Quinoa Salad with Nutritional Yeast Dressing by Caroline Doucet is a quick and easy vegan salad that’s packed with flavor. This nutritious salad is made with quinoa, lentils, leafy greens, carrots, cucumbers and a delicious nutritional yeast dressing. Feel free to add different vegetables using what you have on hand!

7. Quinoa, Lentil, and Walnut Protein Patties

Source: Quinoa, Lentil, and Walnut Protein Patties

This recipe for mini Quinoa, Lentil, and Walnut Protein Patties by Maya Sozer really hits the spot. These powerhouse patties are made by combining quinoa, green lentils, and walnuts with nutritional yeast for a slightly cheesy flavor. As soon as you taste one, you’ll know that these are something to add to your weekly recipe rotation.

8. Harissa Lentil Quinoa Meatballs

Source: Harissa Lentil Quinoa Meatballs

This recipe is a keeper! Hearty, spicy, smoky veggie meatballs with a ton of high-quality plant protein. Each bite of these has a rich variety of flavor, from spicy Harissa to nutty tahini. Use these Harissa Lentil Quinoa Meatballs by Maya Sozer to make a hearty sub, to top a bowl of spaghetti, or add some depth to a salad.

9. Swiss Chard Lentil Quinoa Burgers

Source: Swiss Chard Lentil Quinoa Burgers

These Swiss Chard Lentil Quinoa Burgers by Joyce Gan are crunchy on the outside but soft and chewy on the inside. Lentils and oats give it a meaty and dense texture while Swiss chard adds a unique touch. Top these burgers with some tahini or guacamole and then serve them on hamburger buns for a crowd-pleasing and mouth-watering lunch.

10. Lentil and Quinoa Kitchari

Source: Lentil and Quinoa Kitchari

ThisLentil and Quinoa Kitchari by Rinku Bhattacharya is Indian comfort food that provides strength and energy. It uses the six tastes of Ayurvedic cooking — sweet, sour, pungent, astringent, bitter, and salty, so it leaves you feeling full without the sluggishness. This take on kitchari uses both lentils and quinoa, so it’s packed with protein, but feel free to add a side of rice to make it last!

11. Beluga Black Lentils and Red Quinoa

Source: Beluga Black Lentils and Red Quinoa 

Cooking quinoa and lentils ahead of time is a smart and quick way to prepare a dish rich in protein, fibre and whole grains. There are multiple ways to put a meal together, ranging from veggie burgers to wholesome salads or warm dishes with grilled veggies. You can even grab whatever vegetables or fruit (tomatoes are a fruit!) you have in your kitchen or garden and improvise a meal or a side dish right on the spot. Just chop and mix to your cooked quinoa and lentils. Try out a base like this Beluga Black Lentils and Red Quinoa by Julie Zimmer!

12. Creamy Curried Lentils and Quinoa

Source: Creamy Curried Lentils and Quinoa

It’s hard not to love this one-pot dish, a quick-cooking curry that’s fragrant, creamy, and nutritious. Curries are a mainstay for me, and this Creamy Curried Lentils and Quinoa by Power Plates gets bonus points both for its simplicity and the powerful double dose of plant protein from quinoa and lentils.

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