Southwestern Lentil and Brown Rice Bake

4.70 from 159 votes

Total Time: 2 hrs 20 mins

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Southwestern Lentil and Brown Rice Bake is cheesy, delicious, meatless comfort food even a carnivore will love!  Packed with hearty lentils, wholesome brown rice, and a bold blend of southwestern spices, this dish delivers big flavor in every bite. Combine everything in a baking dish and let it bake away while you do other things. Perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends!

“LOVE LOVE LOVE this recipe! It’s easy and healthy!”

Southwestern Lentil and Brown Rice Bake in oval white baking dish with a serving removed.

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Why This Recipe is a Keeper!

It seems like forever that my hubby and I have been making this lentil bake!  My husband and I began making this casserole back in my vegetarian days.

The recipe we initially followed is “Lively Lentil Bake” from Hot, Spicy and Meatless, Over 150 Delicious, Fiery and Healthful Recipes by Dave DeWitt, et. al., the folks behind Chile Pepper Magazine.  This collection of spicy vegetarian fare was published in 1993, but we still use that cookbook a lot.

This Southwestern Lentil and Brown Rice Bake is one of our favorites when busy, and we don’t have much time to prep and cook. Quite often, we already have the ingredients on hand in the pantry.

The only fresh things you need is an onion, green bell pepper and cilantro for garnish if you like.  It’s very easy to make minor substitutions as this is a versatile and forgiving recipe.

This lentil recipe is:

  • So easy! Do a little chopping and combine everything in a baking dish.
  • Versatile! Add beans such as pinto or black beans for extra protein!
  • Freezer-friendly! Place in freezer containers for a meatless meal that’s ready and waiting!
  • Instant Pot-adaptable!
Southwestern Lentil and Brown Rice Bake in oval white baking dish with a serving removed.

How to Make Southwestern Lentil and Brown Rice Bake:

Recipe Ingredients:

Here’s everything you’ll need to make this easy lentil recipe. The recipe card below has the exact quantities.

Ingredients for Southwestern Lentil and Brown Rice Bake in glass bowls.

Step-By-Step Instructions:

  • Gather and prep all the ingredients.
  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  • Combine all ingredients, except the cheese, in a deep 2-3 quart glass or ceramic baking dish and mix well.
  • Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 1 1/2 hours, stirring once while the mixture is baking.
Ingredients for Southwestern Lentil and Brown Rice Bake in oval white baking dish before being baked,
  • Remove the foil, stir in half the cheese, and place the remaining cheese over the top.
  • Return to oven (uncovered) and bake until cheese has melted, approximately 20 minutes.
  • Allow to stand 10 minutes before serving.
  • Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro if desired.

Southwestern Lentil and Brown Rice Bake for the win!  Little to no effort, and you have a cheesy, vegetarian dish that even a carnivore would love!

Southwestern Lentil and Brown Rice Bake in oval white baking dish after being baked.

Tips for inspecting lentils:

One thing you always want to do when working with lentils is to look them over well for stones, twigs, and odd-looking shriveled ones because those can be stone-like.

What I do is:

  • Place a small amount–about 1/4 cup–on a plain white paper plate.  A white surface makes debris easier to find.
  • Look them over for any odd things and discard.
  • Then, gently fold the plate to guide them into your pot or into a bowl.
  • Repeat with the remaining lentils.
Southwestern Lentil and Brown Rice Bake in oval white baking dish with a serving removed.

Southwestern Lentil and Brown Rice Bake for the win!  Little to no effort and you have a cheesy, vegetarian dish even a carnivore would love!

One serving of Southwestern Lentil and Brown Rice Bake in white bowl garnished with fresh cilantro,

Instant Pot Instructions:

  • Combine all the ingredients except cheese and cilantro in the Instant Pot.
  • Cook on high pressure for 15 minutes.
  • Allow pressure to naturally release for 15 minutes, then release all the pressure.
  • Stir in half of the cheese. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top and cover.
  • Allow everything to stand for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with cilantro.
Southwestern Lentil and Brown Rice Bake in oval white baking dish with a serving removed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this in the Instant Pot?

Yes! The instructions are in the recipe card and above.

How can I make this vegan?

Use plant-based vegan “cheese,” in place of conventional. Brewer’s yeast will also give it a “cheesy” flavor.

Can this lentil and brown rice casserole be frozen?

Absolutely! It freezes beautifully! Bake and thoroughly cool.  Store in airtight containers and freeze for 1-2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator.  Reheat in the oven, toaster oven, or microwave.

For more great vegetarian casseroles, be sure to try my:

4.70 from 159 votes

Southwestern Lentil and Brown Rice Bake

Southwestern Lentil and Brown Rice Bake is cheesy, delicious, meatless comfort food even a carnivore will love!  Packed with hearty lentils, wholesome brown rice, and a bold blend of southwestern spices, this dish delivers big flavor in every bite. Combine everything in a baking dish and let it bake away while you do other things. Perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends!
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 6
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Ingredients 

  • 1/2 large onion, (or 1 medium onion), finely chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)
  • 1 medium green bell pepper, chopped (about 3/4 cup)
  • 4 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 3/4 cup brown lentils
  • 3/4 cup long-grain brown rice
  • 3 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 can (15-ounce) petite diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 can (4-ounce) diced green chiles, undrained
  • 1 tablespoon taco seasoning blend, or another Southwestern-style blend
  • 2 teaspoons dried Mexican oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme, leaf–not ground
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 cups shredded cheese, Monterey Jack, Pepperjack or white Cheddar, divided
  • Chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  • Combine all ingredients, except the cheese, in a deep 2-3 quart glass or ceramic baking dish and mix well. Cover with aluminum foil and bake 1 1/2 hours, stirring once while the mixture is baking.
  • Remove the foil, stir in half the cheese and place the remaining cheese over the top.
  • Return to oven (uncovered) and bake until cheese has melted, approximately 20 minutes.
  • Allow to stand 10 minutes before serving.
  • Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro.

Video

Notes

TIPS:
  • Look the lentils over well for stones, twigs and odd-looking shriveled ones because those can be stone-like.
INSTANT POT INSTRUCTIONS:
  • Combine all the ingredients except cheese and cilantro in the Instant Pot.
  • Cook on high pressure for 15 minutes.
  • Allow pressure to naturally release for 15 minutes then release all the pressure.
  • Stir in half of the cheese. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top and cover.
  • Allow everything to stand for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with cilantro.
FREEZER-FRIENDLY:
  • Bake and thoroughly cool.  Store in airtight containers and freeze for 1-2 months.
  • Thaw in the refrigerator.  Reheat in the oven, toaster oven, or microwave.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 245kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 16gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 29mgSodium: 1131mgPotassium: 340mgFiber: 9gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 643IUVitamin C: 19mgCalcium: 227mgIron: 3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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About Carol

Carol is a personal chef with 22 years of experience cooking food people want to eat! Here, you'll find expert techniques, time-saving tips, and flavor-packed dishes you'll be proud to serve family and friends.

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216 Comments

  1. Ashley says:

    How many servings is this ? 4?

    1. Carol says:

      Hi, Ashley, Thanks for your question. You should be able to get six servings per what’s on the recipe card at the bottom. Depending on your appetite, it could be less, it could be more. Thanks again and hope you enjoy!