What specific advantage do dried lentils offer over other dried beans for quick weeknight meals?

They require no pre-soaking, slashing preparation time

Dried lentils are frequently singled out in discussions of budget eating due to their ease of preparation. Unlike many other dried beans, such as black beans, which necessitate a time-consuming soaking period before cooking can even begin, dried lentils can be cooked directly from their dry state. This lack of a required soaking step significantly reduces the overall preparation time, transforming them into a fast, cheap option suitable for a weeknight dinner, often prepared simply by cooking them down into a soup or dal until they naturally thicken the liquid.