Vegan Hamburger Helper with Lentils

Nostalgia is the secret with this creamy, extremely savory vegan hamburger helper. I go for lentils right here as a substitute of plant-based meat substitutes. It makes this hearty plant-based dinner a bit extra pantry-friendly with out skipping any of the consolation. All of it goes down in a single pot with about half-hour whole cook dinner time.

An overhead shot shows an individual serving of vegan hamburger helper with lentils, elbow macaroni, and chopped parsley. A fork is sticking out of the serving in a wide ceramic bowl.

An overhead shot shows ingredients for a vegan hamburger helper-style dish with lentils and whole grain pasta.

An overhead shot shows 3 bowls filled with small diced onion, minced garlic, and chopped parsley.

I actually simply wished to name this recipe Lentil Helper, however figured I’d throw “hamburger” in there to bump up the familiarity. It helps to attach the general concept with that well-loved boxed dinner equipment. After all there’s no hamburger concerned right here as a result of it is a vegan weblog perpetually!

Whereas this lentil hamburger helper is a meal by itself, a inexperienced vegetable on the aspect is sweet! I might suggest this lemony sautéed broccolini & green beans dish.

I’ll say that this take is extraordinarily plant-based. It nonetheless retains that spiced, tomato-y, kinda tacky high quality, and it’s simple to place along with a number of pantry components. Will it style precisely just like the boxed stuff? Undoubtedly not! This one-pot pasta meal exists within the loving spirit of that dish 😉

A number of home made variations of vegan hamburger helper name for the addition of vegan shredded cheese on the finish of cooking. I nonetheless discover the choices for vegan cheese missing when it comes to style and texture. Additionally they differ a lot between manufacturers. As a substitute, I’ve you make a deeply savory cashew cream to stir in on the finish. It incorporates dietary yeast, miso, and vegan Worcestershire. This technique completely will get you there when it comes to tacky taste and luscious texture.

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An overhead shot shows diced onions and spices that have been sautéed along with tomato paste in a pot. A wooden spoon is stirring everything together.

An overhead shot shows vegetable stock being poured into a pot with a spiced, tomato-y lentil mixture. A wooden spoon is also sticking out of the pot.

An overhead shot shows a tomato-y brothy mixture in a pot with whole wheat elbow macaroni poured on top. There is lots of steam rising from the pot.

Comforting, nostalgic, and healthful, this vegan hamburger helper with lentils has a great deal of spiced tomato-y and tacky taste.

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook dinner Time: 30 minutes

Complete Time: 50 minutes

Servings 4

Elements

⅓ cup uncooked cashews, soaked for at the least 2 hours and drained
⅔ cup water
1 teaspoon mild miso
¼ cup dietary yeast
2 teaspoons vegan Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, small cube
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon chili powder
¼ cup tomato paste
2 cups cooked lentils (see be aware)
4 cups vegetable stock
½ lb (227 grams) elbow-shaped macaroni pasta (I take advantage of entire wheat)
chopped contemporary parsley for garnish, optionally available
salt and pepper, to style

Notes

When you don’t need to hassle making the cashew cream, you may substitute 1 cup of any unsweetened non-dairy creamer/wealthy milk that you just get pleasure from. You’ll nonetheless mix it with the miso, dietary yeast and Worcestershire as outlined in step one.
You’ll want a scant ¾ cup dried lentils to make 2 cups cooked.You need to use the next varieties right here: black beluga, inexperienced, French de puy, or brown. I don’t suggest utilizing purple break up lentils.
I usually suggest seasoning with salt and pepper as you go, however not with this recipe. Boxed inventory and bouillon pastes could be fairly salty, and we even have miso and Worcestershire within the combine. Style your completed product and add salt and pepper on the finish to your liking!

Directions

Make the savory cashew cream

In an upright blender, mix the drained cashews, water, miso, dietary yeast, and Worcestershire. Mix on excessive till fully easy, about 1 minute. Put aside.

Make the vegan Hamburger Helper

Set a big, heavy-bottomed pot over medium warmth. As soon as sizzling, pour within the olive oil and swirl it round. Add the onions and sauté till very mushy, about 8 minutes. Decrease the warmth in the event that they’re browning too rapidly.
Add the garlic, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, and chili powder. Stir till aromatic, about 30 seconds. Add the tomato paste and stir, cooking out the uncooked tin-y taste for a full minute.
Add the lentils and stir. Then, add the vegetable inventory and stir as soon as extra. Cowl the pot and produce to a boil. As soon as boiling, add the pasta and stir. Decrease the warmth to a simmer and proceed to cook dinner, lid barely askew on prime, till pasta is tender. The cook dinner time will differ amongst manufacturers, however usually hovers round 12 minutes. Preserve popping in to stir it right here and there.
As soon as the pasta is tender, pour within the savory cashew cream and stir. The combination ought to be fairly thick and saucy. Style the pasta and lentils at this level. For some, will probably be salty sufficient at this stage (because of the miso, Worcestershire and inventory). If not, season with salt and pepper till it’s to your liking.
End with chopped contemporary parsley (if utilizing) and serve instantly. Take pleasure in!