Italian Lentil Soup

Warm, hearty, and brimming with classic Mediterranean flavors, this Italian Lentil Soup is the ultimate comfort food that's also packed with nutrition. Perfectly blending tender lentils, vibrant vegetables like carrots and celery, and aromatic herbs like thyme and oregano, this one-pot wonder is simmered to savory perfection in a rich vegetable broth. Fresh baby spinach adds a pop of color and nutrients, while optional toppings of grated Parmesan and parsley elevate each bowl with a gourmet touch. Ready in under an hour, this wholesome soup is easy to make, naturally vegetarian, and can even be made vegan with simple tweaks. Serve it with crusty Italian bread for a cozy weeknight dinner or meal prep it for flavorful lunches throughout the week!

Nutriscore Rating: 84/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium, diced yellow onion
• 2 medium, diced carrots
• 2 medium, diced celery stalks
• 3 minced garlic cloves
• 1 cup dried lentils
• 1 14-ounce can diced tomatoes
• 6 cups vegetable broth
• 1 leaf bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cups baby spinach
• 0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are softened.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the lentils, diced tomatoes (with their juice), vegetable broth, bay leaf, thyme, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.

Step 5

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes, or until the lentils are tender.

Step 6

Remove the bay leaf from the soup.

Step 7

Stir in the baby spinach and let it wilt for 2 minutes.

Step 8

Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.

Step 9

Serve hot, topped with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2875.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1986.0

Total Fat 61.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 18.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 7.1g
Cholesterol 47.6mg	0%
Sodium 7604.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 262.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 100.0g	0%
Total Sugars 54.4g
Protein 106.8g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1405.4mg	0%
Iron 26.4mg	0%
Potassium 7072.2mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 27.2%

Protein: 21.0%

Carbs: 51.8%