Baked Lentil Casserole

The herbs added to this casserole make it so flavorful. Add a salad and you've got a healthy, delicious, meat-free dinner. Also works great as a side item.

• Ready In: 1 hr 20 mins
• Serves: 8

Ingredients

• 2 1⁄4 cups water
• 1 3⁄4 cups dry lentils, rinsed
• 1  cup onion, chopped
• 2  medium carrots, sliced thin
• 2  stalks celery, sliced thin
• 2  cloves garlic, minced
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon pepper
• 1⁄8 teaspoon dried marjoram
• 1⁄8 teaspoon rubbed sage
• 1⁄8 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1  bay leaf
• 2  cups  chopped fresh tomatoes
• 10  ounces  2% milk cheddar cheese, shredded

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Combine water, lentils, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, salt, pepper, marjoram, sage, thyme and bay leaf in 13x9 casserole.
3. Cover and bake for 45 minutes.
4. Remove from oven and stir in tomatoes.
5. Recover and bake an additional 15 minutes.
6. Remove from oven and sprinkle with cheese.
7. Bake uncovered for 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.
8. Remove bay leaf before serving.