Do you have less than 30 minutes to make lunch today? ⏱️

What if I told you that you can whip up a balanced, nourishing, fiber‑rich, protein‑rich, naturally low‑in‑saturated‑fats meal in under 15 minutes?

This Mediterranean Lentil Quinoa Skillet is bright, cozy, and full of warm spices, caramelized onions, and a zesty lemon finish. Perfect for busy weekdays when you want something wholesome without spending hours in the kitchen. 🍋💛

🌍💚 Why This Recipe?

💸 Budget‑Friendly

This dish uses pantry staples — lentils, quinoa, onions, spices — making it extremely affordable.

Cost per serving: €1.50

🌱 Climate‑Friendly

Saves 1.5–3.0 kg CO₂ per meal compared to a meat‑based skillet

That’s equivalent to skipping a 10–20 km car ride — all while enjoying a delicious, Mediterranean‑inspired lunch. 🚴‍♀️✨

🥡 Meal‑Prep Friendly

Cook your quinoa and lentils (if not using canned) ahead of time and you instantly save 15 minutes.

🕒 Preparation Time

Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Total: ~30 minutes
Servings: 4

Source: The Plant-Based School

🥣 Ingredients

🌾 Base

2 cans cooked lentils, rinsed
1½ cups cooked quinoa
2 large onions, thinly sliced (for caramelizing)
1 tbsp agave syrup (optional, for deeper caramelization)
2 tbsp extra‑virgin olive oil
2 tbsp plant-based yogurt(optional, for serving)

🍋 Mediterranean Flavor Sauce

4 tbsp vegetable broth
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp mustard
1 garlic clove, grated
1 tsp paprika
½ tsp coriander
½ tsp turmeric
½ tsp cumin
Salt to taste
2 tbsp chopped parsley
Lemon zest (optional for garnishing)

✨ All ingredients are easily available at your local supermarket!

💡 Tip: If you're sensitive to spices, keep it simple with just salt & pepper.

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Caramelize the onions 🧅✨

Heat a large skillet over medium‑high heat with a drizzle of olive oil.

Add sliced onions, a pinch of salt, and agave syrup.

Cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until soft, golden, and fragrant.

2. Mix the Mediterranean sauce 🍋🌿

In a small bowl, whisk together: vegetable broth, olive oil, lemon juice, mustard, garlic and all the spices mentioned in the ingredients. This becomes your bright, aromatic Mediterranean flavor base.

3. Add lentils + quinoa 🌾🥣

Add the cooked lentils and quinoa to the skillet.

Pour the sauce over everything.

Stir and cook for 4–5 minutes, until hot and fully coated.

4. Finish + serve 🍽️

Turn off the heat.

Stir in fresh parsley and sprinkle lemon zest on top.

Serve with plant-based yogurt — or pack it for a satisfying lunch on the go.

Recipe by: The Plant-Based School

Procedure:https://youtube.com/shorts/ySHd_GKIIOQ?si=z9Y0KDmEXuOENFQe

🥗✨ Mediterranean Lentil Quinoa Skillet