Lina's Awesome Smooth Lentil and Veggie Soup

Warm, nourishing, and irresistibly creamy, Lina's Awesome Smooth Lentil and Veggie Soup is your go-to comfort meal packed with wholesome ingredients and bold flavors. A base of hearty red lentils, sweet carrots, and earthy celery pairs beautifully with fragrant spices like cumin, turmeric, and smoked paprika, while a quick blitz with an immersion blender creates a velvety texture that's perfect for cozy evenings. The addition of baby spinach or kale lends a nutritious boost, and a splash of lemon juice brightens every bite. Ready in just 45 minutes, this vegetarian soup is perfect for meal prep or weeknight dinners. Garnish with a dollop of Greek yogurt or coconut cream and a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a restaurant-quality finish! Ideal for fans of plant-based recipes, smooth soups, and easy meal ideas.

Nutriscore Rating: 81/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 2 medium carrots, diced
• 2 medium celery stalks, diced
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup red lentils, rinsed
• 1 cup diced tomatoes (canned or fresh)
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 0.5 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cups baby spinach or kale
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
• 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt or coconut cream (for garnish, optional)
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery, and 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 rinsed red lentils, diced tomatoes, and vegetable broth to the pot. Stir to combine.

Step 5

Season with cumin, turmeric powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir well.

Step 6

Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 20 minutes or until the lentils and vegetables are tender.

Step 7

Once cooked, use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth, or transfer it in batches to a regular blender (be cautious of hot liquid). Blend to your desired consistency.

Step 8

Return the soup to the pot (if using a regular blender) and stir in the spinach or kale until wilted, about 2-3 minutes.

Step 9

Stir in the freshly squeezed lemon juice for a bright and tangy flavor.

Step 10

Serve the soup hot and, if desired, garnish each bowl with a dollop of Greek yogurt or coconut cream and a sprinkle of fresh parsley.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1868.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1074.6

Total Fat 39.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 6.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.5g
Cholesterol 1.5mg	0%
Sodium 4859.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 147.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 40.2g	0%
Total Sugars 39.9g
Protein 46.5g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 447.0mg	0%
Iron 17.5mg	0%
Potassium 4290.3mg	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: 31.3%

Protein: 16.5%

Carbs: 52.2%