This cozy lentil mushroom stroganoff is creamy, hearty, and totally comforting — without any meat. I love making it when I want something warm, filling, and plant-based. The combination of earthy mushrooms, tender lentils, and silky sauce is seriously satisfying.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love how this recipe brings classic stroganoff vibes in a lighter, vegetarian form. It’s rich and creamy, but made with wholesome ingredients. The lentils give it great texture and protein, and it’s just the kind of dish I want to curl up with on a chilly night.
Ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
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olive oil or butter
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onion, chopped
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garlic, minced
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mushrooms (button, cremini, or a mix), sliced
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cooked lentils (brown or green)
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vegetable broth
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soy sauce or tamari
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Dijon mustard
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dried thyme
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flour (or cornstarch for gluten-free)
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sour cream or plant-based alternative
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salt and pepper
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pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes (for serving)
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fresh parsley (optional)
Directions
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I sauté the onion and garlic in olive oil until soft, then add the mushrooms and cook until they’re browned and their moisture evaporates.
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I stir in the cooked lentils, soy sauce, Dijon, thyme, and flour. I cook everything for 1–2 minutes to let the flour thicken.
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I pour in the vegetable broth and bring it to a gentle simmer, stirring until thick and saucy.
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I reduce the heat and stir in sour cream until smooth. I season to taste with salt and pepper.
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I serve it warm over noodles, rice, or mashed potatoes, topped with fresh parsley.
Servings and timing
Servings: 4
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Total time: 35 minutes
Variations
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I use coconut cream or cashew cream for a dairy-free version.
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For extra richness, I stir in a splash of white wine with the broth.
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I sometimes add spinach or kale for a veggie boost.
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If I want it extra thick, I let the sauce simmer uncovered a few extra minutes.
Storage/Reheating
I store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days. It reheats well on the stove or in the microwave with a splash of broth to loosen the sauce. I don’t recommend freezing with the sour cream — it can separate.
FAQs
Can I use canned lentils?
Yes — I rinse and drain them well before adding. They’re super convenient.
What mushrooms work best?
I use cremini or button mushrooms, but a mix with shiitake or portobello adds great flavor.
Can I make it gluten-free?
Yes — I use tamari instead of soy sauce and cornstarch or gluten-free flour to thicken.
What goes best with it?
I love serving it over wide egg noodles, but mashed potatoes or rice also work great.
Can I freeze it?
Without the sour cream, yes. I freeze the base, then stir in sour cream after reheating.
Conclusion
This lentil mushroom stroganoff is everything I want in a cozy meal — creamy, comforting, and full of rich umami flavor. It’s a feel-good dish I keep in my rotation when I want something warm and satisfying without the heaviness.
PrintCozy Lentil Mushroom Stroganoff
This cozy lentil mushroom stroganoff is a creamy, hearty, and plant-based twist on the classic comfort food. Made with mushrooms, lentils, and a rich sauce, it’s the perfect vegetarian dish for chilly nights.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: European
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil or butter
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 12 oz mushrooms (button, cremini, or a mix), sliced
- 1 1/2 cups cooked brown or green lentils
- 1 1/2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tbsp soy sauce or tamari
- 2 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour (or cornstarch for gluten-free)
- 1/2 cup sour cream or plant-based alternative
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes (for serving)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté onion and garlic until softened.
- Add sliced mushrooms and cook until browned and moisture has evaporated, about 8–10 minutes.
- Stir in cooked lentils, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, thyme, and flour. Cook for 1–2 minutes.
- Pour in vegetable broth and bring to a simmer, stirring until sauce thickens.
- Reduce heat and stir in sour cream until smooth and creamy.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve warm over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes. Garnish with parsley if desired.
Notes
- Use tamari and cornstarch for a gluten-free version.
- Coconut cream or cashew cream works well for dairy-free alternatives.
- Add spinach or kale for extra greens.
- A splash of white wine adds depth to the sauce.
- Don’t freeze with sour cream; freeze the base and add cream after reheating.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (without pasta/rice)
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 13g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
