Lentil Soup Express

Warm, hearty, and ready in just 40 minutes, "Lentil Soup Express" is the ultimate one-pot meal for busy weeknights! This nutrient-packed soup combines tender red lentils with a medley of fresh vegetables, including carrots, celery, onions, and wilted baby spinach, all simmered in a fragrant blend of cumin, smoked paprika, and thyme. A splash of lemon juice adds a zesty finish, brightening the flavors in every spoonful. With minimal prep time and maximum flavor, this recipe is perfect for meal prep or a wholesome dinner that doesn’t sacrifice convenience. Serve it piping hot with crusty bread for a satisfying, protein-rich vegan meal the whole family will love! Keywords: lentil soup, quick lentil soup recipe, vegan soup, one-pot meals, healthy red lentil soup.

Nutriscore Rating: 79/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium, diced onion
• 2 medium, diced carrot
• 2 stalks, diced celery
• 3 cloves, minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 cup red lentils
• 6 cups vegetable broth
• 1 14-ounce can diced tomatoes
• 2 cups, packed baby spinach
• 1 teaspoon (or to taste) salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

Add the diced onion, carrot, and celery to the pot. Sauté for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic, ground cumin, smoked paprika, and dried thyme. Cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the red lentils, vegetable broth, and diced tomatoes (with their juices) to the pot. Stir well to combine.

Step 5

Raise the heat to high and bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and let simmer for 20 minutes, or until the lentils are tender.

Step 6

Stir in the baby spinach, allowing it to wilt into the soup. This should take about 2 minutes.

Step 7

Season the soup with salt and black pepper to taste.

Step 8

Stir in the lemon juice just before serving, to brighten the flavors.

Step 9

Ladle the soup into bowls and serve hot. Optionally, garnish with fresh parsley or a dollop of yogurt.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2331.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1038.1

Total Fat 42.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 7.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 7.0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 6404.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 139.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 36.6g	0%
Total Sugars 43.5g
Protein 36.8g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 622.7mg	0%
Iron 18.3mg	0%
Potassium 4051.8mg	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: 35.2%

Protein: 13.5%

Carbs: 51.3%