Best Vegetable Bowl

5 from 11 votes

Best Vegetable Bowl with crispy roasted lentils and a creamy tahini dressing. Made with 10 budget-friendly vegan ingredients. Meal prep this recipe and refrigerate for up to 5 days.

Published: Mar 1, 2023 by Nisha Melvani, RDN · I earn commissions from purchases via links on this post.

👩🏼‍🌾 Ingredients

Chopped Brussels sprouts and sweet potato, tahini, cooked lentils, cooked quinoa, garlic powder, hemp hearts, one lemon, one head garlic, and ground cumin on a grey marble table.

Lentils are an excellent source of plant-based protein. French lentils hold their shape well and get deliciously crispy when roasted in the oven. You can also use Puy lentils, or any variety of green lentils for this recipe.
Quinoa is rich in protein, fiber, and a range of vitamins and minerals. Plus, it cooks in just 15 minutes and is gluten-free.
Brussels sprouts are high in vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants, low in calories, and may have cancer-fighting properties. They can help with digestion, and promote feelings of fullness, which may be helpful in maintaining a healthy weight.
Sweet potatoes are a good source of fiber, which promotes healthy digestion and regularity. The fiber in sweet potatoes may help regulate blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity. They add a delectable sweetness to this vegetable bowl.
Tahini has a nutty flavor and a creamy texture. It is a paste made from ground sesame seeds. It's rich in healthy fats, protein, and fiber, as well as calcium, and iron.

See recipe card for quantities.

🍠 Substitutions

Lentils - instead of lentils, you can roast 3 cups cooked chickpeas

Sweet potato - use any variety of potato or a different root vegetable to make this vegetable bowl

Brussels sprouts - substitute with broccoli, cauliflower, or cabbage steaks

Quinoa - substitute with farro, wild rice, brown rice, farro, barley, or a different grain of your choice

Hemp hearts add an additional 9.5 grams protein per 3 tablespoon serving. They are also rich in heart healthy fats. These are optional.

Try this gut-healthy Protein Bowl for another easy protein-packed recipe. Visit my Vegan Lentil Recipes page for more high-protein vegan dinner ideas.

📖 Instructions

Wash and cook the quinoa. Set aside for 5 minutes before fluffing with a fork.

Roasted halved Brussels sprouts and chopped sweet potato on a white rimmed baking sheet.

Step 1. Transfer the Brussels sprouts and sweet potatoes to a large rimmed baking sheet in a single layer. Toss with olive oil, onion and garlic powders, and salt. Roast them for about 30 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are just fork tender and golden brown.

Crispy roasted lentils on a white rimmed baking sheet.

Step 2. Transfer the cooked lentils to a medium baking sheet in a single layer. Toss with olive oil, onion and garlic powders, and salt. Place in the oven on the top rack. Roast for about 15 minutes, or until crispy.

Tahini dressing in a salad dressing shaker with one half squeezed lemon, a green juicer cap, and a clear lid on the side.

Step 3. Transfer the tahini, cumin, salt, and lemon juice to a medium bowl. Grate or press the garlic into the bowl. Add the ice-cold water 1 tablespoon at a time until the desired consistency.

Roasted lentils, sweet potato, and Brussels sprouts, sliced avocado, and cooked quinoa in a white bowl.

Step 4. Serve this vegetable bowl with the desired amount of dressing. Top with chopped avocado and a sprinkle of hemp seeds, if using.

💡 Expert Tips

Cook the lentils until al dente before roasting them. Do not overcook them or they won't get crispy and hold their shape.

Do not overcrowd the veggies or they will steam instead of brown. Use two baking sheets if they do not fit on one in a single layer.

The lentils may get crispy before the vegetables are done cooking. Remove them from the oven and set aside to cool.

This recipe makes extra tahini dressing. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Refrigerate leftover Best Vegetable Bowl components in separate airtight containers if you want to mix and match them throughout the week. Otherwise, combine the ingredients into one airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days. Store the dressing in a separate container.

🙋🏽‍♀️ Recipe FAQs

Is tahini considered an oil?

Tahini is technically a seed butter. However, it does contain oil from the sesame seeds which is why it is so creamy and silky smooth.

Can I make this recipe oil-free?

You can reduce the amount of oil in this Vegetable Bowl, or eliminate it by using a different dressing. Roast the vegetables and lentils without oil. The tahini dressing contains naturally occurring oils, but most oil-free dressings will work with this vegetable bowl.

Should lentils be soaked before cooking?

Lentils to do not require soaking like other pulses. Rinse them with water before boiling to remove any dust or debris. Cook on a stovetop, using 3 cups water or broth for each 1 cup of dry lentils. Be sure to use a large enough saucepan as the lentils will double or triple in size.

📖 Recipe