That’s Awkward Casserole–an Instant Pot or Crockpot recipe for seasoned ground beef with lentils, rice and tomatoes. It’s all topped off with cheddar and sour cream.
That’s Awkward Casserole
Lentils are one of those foods that aren’t that popular. In my opinion they are underrated. They are high fiber, high nutrition and very inexpensive. They don’t have much of a flavor on their own so they take on the flavor of whatever sauce they are cooked in. This recipe is a tasty concoction with lentils, ground beef and rice. Your kids might think it’s awkward how much you’ll love this recipe.
Ingredients/Substitution Ideas
- Lean ground beef–or ground turkey, chicken
- Onion
- Garlic powder
- Kosher salt
- Black pepper
- Cumin
- Chili powder
- Chicken broth–or beef broth
- Brown lentils
- Converted rice–or long grain white rice
- Diced green chiles–I used mild
- Petite diced tomatoes–or crushed tomatoes
- Tomato paste
- Cheddar cheese–I like sharp
- Diced tomato, sour cream, green onion–for topping
Steps
Turn Instant Pot to saute setting. When display says HOT add in the beef and break it up. Add in the onion. Brown for 5 minutes. Drain excess grease.
Stir in the garlic powder, salt, pepper, cumin and chili powder.
Pour in the broth and scrape bottom of pot so that nothing is sticking. Turn off Instant Pot.
Sprinkle in the lentils and rice. Then dump the green chiles, tomatoes and tomato paste and don’t stir.
Cover Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set the manual/pressure cook button to 12 minutes. When time is up let pot sit for 10 minutes and then move valve to venting. Remove the lid.
Stir. Sprinkle the cheese on top and let it melt. Top with diced tomatoes, sour cream and green onion. Enjoy!
Notes/Tips
- Serve with shredded lettuce, sliced olives, diced tomatoes, diced avocado…and any other toppings you like.
- I used my 6 quart Instant Pot*. You can also make this in a 3 or 8 quart pot.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container* in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Other recipes you can make with tomato paste are Down Home Instant Pot Chili and Instant Pot Creamy Tortellini, Spinach and Chicken Soup.
- Can I use another type of lentil? Sure. You can also use green lentils with the same pressure cooking time. For red or yellow lentils you’ll need to reduce cooking time to 3 minutes with a 10 minute natural pressure release.
Did you know you can filter the recipes on my website to search by meat type, IP or Crockpot, low carb, gluten free, etc.? Use the filter to find exactly what you are looking for.
That’s Awkward Casserole
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes (plus 10 minute NPR)
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
An Instant Pot or Crockpot recipe for seasoned ground beef with lentils, rice and tomatoes. It’s all topped off with cheddar and sour cream.
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 cup diced onion
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 1/4 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp cumin
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 2 1/4 cups chicken or beef broth
- 1 cup brown lentils
- 1/4 cup converted rice
- 1 (4 oz) can diced green chiles
- 1 (14.5 oz) can petite diced tomatoes
- 2 Tbsp tomato paste
- 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Diced tomato, sour cream, green onion, for topping
Instructions
Instant Pot Instructions:
- Turn Instant Pot to saute setting. When display says HOT add in the beef and break it up. Add in the onion. Brown for 5 minutes. Drain excess grease.
- Stir in the garlic powder, salt, pepper, cumin and chili powder. Pour in the broth and scrape bottom of pot so that nothing is sticking. Turn off Instant Pot.
- Sprinkle in the lentils and rice. Then dump the green chiles, tomatoes and tomato paste and don’t stir.
- Cover Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set the manual/pressure cook button to 12 minutes. When time is up let pot sit for 10 minutes and then move valve to venting. Remove the lid.
- Stir. Sprinkle the cheese on top and let it melt. Top with diced tomatoes, sour cream and green onion. Enjoy!
Slow Cooker Instructions:
- Heat a pan over medium high heat. Add in the beef and break it up. Add in the onion. Brown for 5 minutes. Drain excess grease. Stir in the garlic powder, salt, pepper, cumin and chili powder. Add to the slow cooker.
- Stir in the broth, lentils, rice, green chiles, tomatoes and tomato paste.
- Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours, or until lentils are tender.
- Stir. Sprinkle the cheese on top and let it melt. Top with diced tomatoes, sour cream and green onion. Enjoy!
- Category: Beef
- Method: Instant Pot
More recipes with lentils…
Instant Pot/Slow Cooker Garlic Herb Lentils
Easy lentil stew with onions, garlic, carrots and celery. It’s almost got a creamy consistency and is super comforting. Make it fast in your pressure cooker or simmer it all day in your slow cooker.
Instant Pot Cheesy Chicken and Lentils
Lentils and chicken are pressure cooked with green salsa and black beans to make a creamy one pot dinner. Top it with cheddar, sour cream, cilantro and crunched up tortilla chips for the ultimate Mexican meal.
Slow Cooker Madras Lentils with Ground Beef
Lentils, red beans and spices simmered in a creamy tomato sauce. Serve like a chili or over rice.
*Karen Petersen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
Great way to use lentils and increase healthy protein 😀. Karen, thanks – this turned out really well!
I tweaked a few things to my tastes and to accommodate what we have at home. I increased the chili powder and cumin, plus added a shake of smoked paprika. Green lentils vs brown worked great. Had no cans of diced green chilies, but a minced mix of ~3/4 cup of yellow bell pepper and 2 Serrano peppers (one de-seeded & deveined) made a good sub. Served over rice, topped with extra cheese, guacamole, sour crean, green onion, and fresh diced tomato. Yummy 😋
Sounds like an awesome dinner!