Skip to main content

A Vegetarian’s Dream Sweet Potato Dinner

4.9

(56)

Photo of Roasted Sweet Potatoes Mushrooms and Lentils
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Erika Joyce

Featuring sweet potatoes and mushrooms roasted to crispy-edged perfection, plus a whipped feta-tahini sauce with lots of dill, this easy, comforting vegetarian dinner is perfect for fall. Use whatever kind of lentil you like best for the salad—we prefer black beluga lentils because of how well they hold their caviar-like shape.

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    40 minutes

  • Yield

    4 servings

Ingredients

6 small sweet potatoes (garnet yams), halved lengthwise
7 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided, plus more for drizzling
1 tsp. kosher salt, divided, plus more
1 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper, divided
1/2 cup black or green lentils
1/2 lb. maitake mushrooms, trimmed, torn into pieces
6 oz. feta, crumbled (about 1 cup)
1/4 cup tahini
1 small garlic clove, crushed
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, divided
1 bunch dill, coarsely chopped (about 1 1/2 cups), divided
2 scallions, finely chopped

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss potatoes, 1 Tbsp. oil, 1/2 tsp. salt, and 1/2 tsp. pepper on a rimmed baking sheet. Arrange potatoes cut side down in an even layer and roast until beginning to soften and golden brown on the cut sides, 15–20 minutes.

    Step 2

    While potatoes roast, cook lentils in a medium pot of simmering salted water until lentils are tender but still retain their shape, 15–20 minutes. Drain and transfer to a medium bowl.

    Step 3

    Toss mushrooms, 1 Tbsp. oil, and 1/2 tsp. pepper in another medium bowl. Arrange around potatoes on hot baking sheet and continue to roast until mushrooms are browned and crisped and potatoes are well browned on cut sides, 12–15 minutes.

    Step 4

    Meanwhile, pulse feta, tahini, garlic, 2 Tbsp. lemon juice, half of the dill, 3 Tbsp. oil, and 1/4 cup water in a food processor until a smooth sauce forms. Add more water, 1 Tbsp. at a time, and pulse to combine until sauce is just thin enough to pour.

    Step 5

    Add scallions and remaining dill, 2 Tbsp. oil, 2 Tbsp. lemon juice, 1/2 tsp. salt, and 1/4 tsp. pepper to bowl with lentils and stir to combine. Stir in roasted mushrooms.

    Step 6

    Divide feta sauce among plates. Top with potato halves. Spoon lentil salad over and drizzle with oil.

See Related Recipes and Cooking Tips

Read More
With haricots verts and crispy chickpeas, this two-bean salad will wow any party or potluck.
These classic roasted potatoes get exceptional texture and bright flavor from roasting with stock and then with lemon juice.
“This is my all-time favorite beet dish,” writes cookbook author Nisha Vora.
A lofty popover replaces pie crust in this vegetarian pot pie filled with potatoes, carrots, celery, peas, and asparagus.
A holiday on a sheet pan—with green beans, potatoes, and cranberry sauce.
Who says latkes have to be potato? Brussels bring a delicious cruciferousness.
This side dish is flavorful enough to also serve as a main course.
For the full effect, enjoy over a bed of rice with a pint of cold beer.