Lenny's Lentil Soup

Warm, hearty, and packed with wholesome ingredients, Lenny's Lentil Soup is the ultimate comfort food for a busy weeknight or a cozy weekend meal. This protein-rich, plant-based recipe shines with a medley of nutrient-dense ingredients, including tender green or brown lentils, vibrant diced vegetables, and aromatic spices like cumin and paprika. Simmered in a flavorful vegetable broth with a touch of thyme and finished optionally with fresh spinach and a splash of bright lemon juice, this one-pot wonder is as satisfying as it is simple to make. Ready in just under an hour and perfect for meal prep, Lenny's Lentil Soup is a healthy, gluten-free, and utterly delicious choice for the whole family to enjoy. Keywords: lentil soup recipe, hearty vegetable soup, plant-based dinner idea, easy one-pot meals.

Nutriscore Rating: 81/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 2 medium carrots, diced
• 2 medium celery stalks, diced
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 1.5 cups dried green or brown lentils, rinsed and drained
• 14 ounces diced tomatoes (canned, with juices)
• 6 cups vegetable broth
• 1 leaf bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cups baby spinach (optional, for garnish)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed (optional)

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 an additional 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the rinsed lentils, diced tomatoes with their juices, vegetable broth, and bay leaf to the pot. Stir to combine.

Step 5

Sprinkle in the ground cumin, paprika, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper. Stir well.

Step 6

Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer uncovered for 30-35 minutes, or until the lentils are tender.

Step 7

Remove the bay leaf and discard.

Step 8

If using, stir in the baby spinach during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking until wilted.

Step 9

Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. For a bright finish, stir in the lemon juice before serving.

Step 10

Ladle the lentil soup into bowls and serve warm. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2625.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1400.2

Total Fat 44.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 7.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 6.9g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 6719.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 205.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 57.5g	0%
Total Sugars 53.1g
Protein 64.3g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 603.2mg	0%
Iron 25.4mg	0%
Potassium 6080.0mg	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: 26.9%

Protein: 17.4%

Carbs: 55.7%