Curried lentils is a flavorful, nutritious, satisfying low-budget, one-pot, meatless meal you can make using a stove, crockpot, or Instant Pot with 8 simple pantry ingredients!
In a large pot with a lid, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until they are translucent and fragrant. Then add the garlic and saute for 1 minute.
Add the uncooked lentils to the pot and the curry powder. Mix well and cook for 20 seconds constantly mixing. Add the water, cinnamon (if using), diced tomatoes, carrots, tomato paste, salt, and pepper. Mix well, cover with a lid and bring it to a boil.
Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook undisturbed for 30 minutes. Uncover, and continue to cook until most of the liquid evaporates and the lentils get creamy.
When ready, taste and adjust salt, pepper, and curry levels if needed. Then add the cilantro and mix well. Serve hot.
Notes
To adjust the consistency: Optionally mash or blend a portion of the lentils and/or increase the amount of liquid used to adjust it.
Temper the spices: Cooking off the curry powder and any additional spices before adding liquid to the pan helps bloom them and improves the dish’s overall flavor.
Season to taste: You can add as much or as little of each as you’d like.
For even better flavor: Leaving the curry to rest for a short while (or making it a day ahead) will provide time for the flavors to meld.