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Butternut Squash and Lentil Hash

in Breakfast, Entrees

A clean out the fridge Fall-inspired hash that is perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

butternut lentil hash2How about I let you in on a little secret…

butternut lentil hash5When you throw random leftovers from your fridge into a pan and call it breakfast, you can make it sound fancy by referring to it as a “hash.”

butternut lentil hash 6That is exactly what I did a couple of Saturdays ago when I had leftover lentils, beans, diced peppers, and roasted butternut squash hanging out in my refrigerator.  I am a major food-wasting hater, so often times I am forced to get creative in the kitchen with the ingredients that I have.  Sometimes the dishes I come up with are just okay, while other times I fall in love and become hooked on them.  These are normally the same dishes that continually show up on future meal plans.  I have a feeling that this hash recipe will definitely be making an appearance a time or two on my future meal plans this Fall.

butternut lentil hash3This butternut squash and lentil hash is:

Protein-packed
Sweet
Savory
Hearty
Filling
So Fall

butternut lentil hash 7Butternut Squash and Lentil Hash
Vegetarian w/ Vegan Option

Serves 1

Ingredients

water, for cooking
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 small bell pepper (I used red), diced
1/4 small yellow onion, diced
1 cup butternut squash, chopped and roasted*
1/2 cup cooked green lentils (1/4 cup dry + 1 cup vegetable broth)
1/2 cup beans (kidney or black beans work great)
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp turmeric
dash of cinnamon
fine sea salt, to taste
black pepper, to taste
1 large egg, optional
sriracha sauce or ketchup, optional

*I seasoned mine with olive oil, salt, pepper, and cinnamon &  roasted it for approximately 25 minutes in a 400 degree F oven.

Directions

1. Line a medium skillet with water and heat over medium-high heat.  Once hot, lower to medium and stir in garlic, peppers, and onions.  Cook for approximately 5 minutes, or until softened.  Add additional water, as necessary.

2. Add roasted butternut squash, cooked lentils, and beans to the skillet.  Mix well.

3. Season with onion powder, cumin, paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, salt, and pepper.

4. Lower heat to medium-low and cook for approximately 5 minutes, or until the hash is warm.

5. If desired, while the hash is cooking, prepare one large egg.  I fried mine and served it sunny-side up.

6. Eat the hash by itself, or top with sriracha sauce/ketchup and/or an egg.

Note: This hash is made for one person, but the ingredients can easily be multiplied to serve more or for Sunday meal prep for the week ahead.

butternut lentil hash4I admit that this hash may sound like the most random combination of foods.  But somehow it just works.  Maybe it is the savoriness of the beans and lentils.  Maybe it is the sweetness of the butternut squash and cinnamon.  Or maybe it is the spiciness of the peppers and sriracha sauce.  Whatever it is, this sweet/savory/spicy creation is good.

butternut lentil hashThe goodness isn’t just for breakfast, either.  That is one thing that I really love about creating a hash.  It is great if you are a savory breakfast lover.  But if you tend to go sweet in the morning, this also makes for a healthy and hearty lunch or dinner.  Or… even “brinner.”

butternut lentil hash6Feel free to leave the egg off to keep it vegan.  But if you are anything like me, you may not be able to say no to the fried egg goodness.

What successes have you had by “throwing together” ingredients from your fridge?

Are you ready to get your hash on?  Please Pin and share this recipe on Twitter and Facebook using the buttons below!

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{ 49 comments… add one }
  • sam @ PancakeWarriors November 14, 2014, 12:58 am
    yum I love a hash! And that egg really shouldn't be optional. Looks yummy! That is a fall explosion on your plate. I think I have most of those ingredients in my fridge lol. Gotta love leftovers! sam @ PancakeWarriors recently posted...Single Serve Pumpkin Pie (Crustless)My Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl November 14, 2014, 8:59 pm
      Leftovers really can be made to be amazing!! And I agree on the egg part.. but had to keep it vegan friendly for those who don't do eggs ;)
  • meredith @ The Cookie ChRUNicles November 14, 2014, 5:39 am
    Most of my meals are throw togethers from the fridge lol. I love anything with butternut squash! I am obsessed. meredith @ The Cookie ChRUNicles recently posted...Apple Peanut Butter Pie HummusMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl November 14, 2014, 9:00 pm
      You and me both! Butternut squash is definitely one of my FAVORITE foods right now!
  • Joanna @Makingmine November 14, 2014, 5:53 am
    You are the queen of throwing together random ingredients into something delicious and beautiful! Joanna @Makingmine recently posted...bumpdate: 16 weeksMy Profile
    • Shantha November 14, 2014, 7:07 am
      This dish looks yummy! I love anything butternut and I'm impressed with what you did with this "hash"
      • ClnEatingVegGrl November 14, 2014, 9:02 pm
        Thank you, Shantha! Isn't butternut squash SO good? I love it!
    • ClnEatingVegGrl November 14, 2014, 9:01 pm
      Haha, well thanks!! I'll have to add that to my resume ;)
  • Julie @ Running in a Skirt November 14, 2014, 7:26 am
    I actually have all of these items in my fridge now! Breakfast tomorrow! Julie @ Running in a Skirt recently posted...Three Ways to Wear One BlazerMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl November 14, 2014, 9:03 pm
      It sounds to me like it is meant to be! I hope you enjoy it :)
  • Heather (Where's the Beach) November 14, 2014, 7:42 am
    This looks great. Just pinned!
    • ClnEatingVegGrl November 14, 2014, 9:04 pm
      Thanks so much Heather! I appreciate that!
  • Danica @ It's Progression November 14, 2014, 9:48 am
    This looks so good! I love that there are beans AND lentils. Yum! Danica @ It's Progression recently posted...Five things Friday 11.14.14My Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl November 14, 2014, 9:05 pm
      Yes! LOTS of protein for staying power throughout the day!
  • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine November 14, 2014, 10:25 am
    The perfect savory breakfast to get rid of all that produce!
    • ClnEatingVegGrl November 14, 2014, 9:07 pm
      Yes it sure is! I am definitely a savory breakfast lover AND I hate wasting leftovers!
  • Erin @ Her Heartland Soul November 14, 2014, 11:38 am
    Yum! I'm so glad it's almost lunch time! Erin @ Her Heartland Soul recently posted...Friday Five 41My Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl November 14, 2014, 9:08 pm
      I seem to be good at making you hungry... food blogs are dangerous, aren't they? ;)
  • Molly Young November 14, 2014, 12:58 pm
    Yummy!! Looks super healthy too. I bet my little one would looove this! I'll have to try it!
    • ClnEatingVegGrl November 14, 2014, 9:13 pm
      Thank you Molly! I hope your little one (and you!) enjoy it :)
  • Christina @ The Beautiful Balance November 14, 2014, 4:24 pm
    This would be soo good with curry and coconut milk too! I guess it wouldn't be a hash then but I put both on anything I can. Christina @ The Beautiful Balance recently posted...Top 5 Free Yoga SitesMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl November 14, 2014, 9:15 pm
      It may not be a hash, but that sounds amazing! I LOVE adding curry to dishes. Great idea :)
  • Ariana November 14, 2014, 11:08 pm
    Yumm this sounds delicious!!! I was totally going to tell you I would add an egg on top as well, but then I saw you beat me to it! ;) Ariana recently posted...Fall Fitness Fridays Week 5My Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl November 15, 2014, 5:37 pm
      Haha, great minds think a like!! I can't escape the eggs ;)
  • Jennifer November 14, 2014, 11:08 pm
    This looks really good! I'm definitely going to be giving this one a try! Thanks for sharing.
    • ClnEatingVegGrl November 15, 2014, 5:38 pm
      Thank you, Jennifer!! Let me know what you think :)
  • Paris at My Big Fat Happy Life November 15, 2014, 7:45 am
    Looks yummy!
    • ClnEatingVegGrl November 15, 2014, 5:39 pm
      Thanks Paris!! It really is!
  • Joyce @ My Stay At Home Adventures November 15, 2014, 8:05 am
    This looks good. Will give it a try. Pinning! Joyce @ My Stay At Home Adventures recently posted...52 Week Saving Challenge Week 46My Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl November 15, 2014, 5:40 pm
      Thank you, Joyce! Let me know what you think!
  • Pamela Hernandez November 15, 2014, 12:48 pm
    This looks delicious! I invited Avocado and Egg White Tacos with a good refrigerator clean up. :)
    • ClnEatingVegGrl November 15, 2014, 5:42 pm
      Avocado and Egg White Tacos sound amazing! Awesome idea :)
  • Erin November 15, 2014, 9:41 pm
    I am not a huge vegetable lover, but this looks so good. I might even get the kids interested :) Thanks for sharing. Erin http://theeveryday-mom.blogspot.com/ Erin recently posted...3 Websites For Vacation AdviceMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl November 15, 2014, 10:07 pm
      This is definitely a great way to get your veggies in because there are so many other things going on in the recipe besides just veggies!
  • Farrah November 15, 2014, 9:45 pm
    This looks super good! I have a bag of lentils I've been meaning to make something with; this will be perfect! :D Farrah recently posted...November Blog Challenge (#14-#15)My Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl November 15, 2014, 10:58 pm
      Most definitely!! I have quite a few lentil recipes here on my blog, too, so feel free to look around if you need some inspiration :)
  • Angie November 15, 2014, 11:52 pm
    Definitely going to try the hash! Looks great. Have you considered doing a link to your recipes on your posts to a printable version? It's so nice to be able to print out the recipes!
    • ClnEatingVegGrl November 16, 2014, 2:36 pm
      Hi Angie! Thank you for the suggestion. I had not thought about that, but I suppose that is because I never print my recipes so it never occurred to me. I will definitely look into that!
  • Michael November 16, 2014, 5:58 pm
    I haven't eaten hash in so many years. This looks fantastic. I wish there was some way to print out the picture and eat it. Michael recently posted...It feels good to finally get out of hereMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl November 16, 2014, 10:44 pm
      That sure would be cool, wouldn't it? Maybe someday in the future that will be reality ;)
  • ashley November 17, 2014, 12:58 am
    This looks great! I've never had any kind of hash. ashley recently posted...Pushing Through FearMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl November 17, 2014, 4:54 pm
      Well, my dear, you have been missing out! Hash is great, especially for breakfast or brinner. Let me know if you give it a try :)
  • Lynn @ Order in the Kitchen November 17, 2014, 6:26 pm
    I LOVE lentils and I've made them several different ways but I've never thought of putting them in a hash!! #genius
    • ClnEatingVegGrl November 18, 2014, 7:44 pm
      Thanks, Lynn! I love hearing that there are other people who are lentil obsessed like I am ;) They are a great addition to a hash!
  • Cassie @ Almost Getting it Together November 17, 2014, 11:54 pm
    I'm all about hashes but I hate white potatoes (is that weird? It's a texture thing) but love squash so I think I would love this! Cassie @ Almost Getting it Together recently posted...Cuban Black Bean and Quinoa Veggie BurgerMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl November 18, 2014, 7:46 pm
      I haven't heard of too many people who do not like potatoes ;), but to each their own right? Thank goodness you are a squash lover!
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