Description

Warm, hearty, and packed with plant-based goodness, this Easy Homemade Lentil Soup is the ultimate comfort food. It’s ideal for a quick dinner, healthy lunch, or meal prep staple. Made with nourishing lentils, colorful vegetables, and fragrant herbs, this easy recipe comes together in one pot with minimal effort. Whether you’re looking for healthy food ideas, dinner ideas, or gluten-free vegan options, this soup has you covered.

Ingredients

1 cup green or brown lentils

2 medium carrots, chopped

2 celery stalks, chopped

1 medium onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 cup crushed tomatoes

6 cups vegetable broth

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 cups spinach or kale, chopped

1 teaspoon fresh thyme

1 teaspoon fresh rosemary

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

1. Chop all vegetables and rinse the lentils under cold water.

2. In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onions, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5–7 minutes.

3. Add garlic and sauté for another minute until fragrant.

4. Stir in lentils, crushed tomatoes, and vegetable broth. Add thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper.

5. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes or until lentils are tender.

6. (Optional) Blend a portion of the soup with an immersion blender for a creamier texture.

7. Stir in spinach or kale during the last 5 minutes of cooking and let it wilt.

8. Taste and adjust seasoning. Add red pepper flakes if using.

9. Serve hot with your favorite sides like bread or salad.

Notes

Rinse lentils thoroughly before cooking to remove debris and reduce cloudiness.

Add greens at the end to keep their color and texture vibrant.

Soup thickens as it cools, so add extra broth or water when reheating if needed.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1.5 cups
Calories: 250
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 480mg
Fat: 6g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Unsaturated Fat: 4g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 36g
Fiber: 12g
Protein: 14g
Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: easy dinner, healthy soup, lentil recipe, vegan dinner, gluten-free soup, quick meal, food ideas, easy recipe, dinner ideas