Picante Lentil Sauce Crock Pot
Transform your weeknight dinners with this bold and flavorful Picante Lentil Sauce made effortlessly in the crock pot. Packed with protein-rich green or brown lentils, tangy diced tomatoes, and zesty picante sauce, this slow-cooked dish is infused with aromatic spices like cumin, chili powder, and paprika for a smoky kick. With just 10 minutes of prep and hands-free cooking, this vegan and gluten-free recipe creates a hearty, versatile sauce perfect for serving over rice, pasta, or roasted veggies. Top it with fresh cilantro for a vibrant finish, and let your crock pot do all the work while you savor the comforting, homemade flavors of this crowd-pleasing meal!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup Green or brown lentils, rinsed and drained
- 14.5 ounces Diced tomatoes (canned, with juice)
- 2 cups Vegetable broth
- 1 cup Picante sauce (mild, medium, or hot, based on preference)
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 medium Yellow onion, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon Cumin powder
- 1 teaspoon Chili powder
- 0.5 teaspoon Paprika
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
- 2 tablespoons Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional for garnish)
Instructions
Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté for 3-4 minutes until the onion becomes translucent.
Transfer the sautéed onions and garlic to the crock pot.
Add the rinsed lentils, diced tomatoes (with juice), vegetable broth, and picante sauce into the crock pot.
Stir in the cumin powder, chili powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
Set the crock pot to LOW and cook for 4-5 hours, or until the lentils are tender and the sauce has thickened. Stir occasionally if you’re around, but it’s not required.
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, adding more salt or spice depending on your preference.
Serve warm over rice, pasta, or as a sauce over roasted vegetables.
Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro, if desired, before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
192 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 4.7 g | 6% | |
| Saturated Fat | 0.7 g | 4% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.4 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 974 mg | 42% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 30.3 g | 11% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 8.4 g | 30% | |
| Total Sugars | 9.1 g | ||
| Protein | 8.0 g | 16% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 65 mg | 5% | |
| Iron | 3.3 mg | 18% | |
| Potassium | 802 mg | 17% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
