Description
Pot Lentil Soup easy budgetfriendly dinner for busy nights comforting bowls ready fast with simple steps and minimal prep Quick prep Fast results
Ingredients
- Olive oil — 1 tablespoon for sautéing aromatics (or avocado oil as alternative)
- Yellow onion — 1 medium, diced
- Carrots — 2 medium, diced
- Celery stalks — 2, diced
- Garlic — 2–3 cloves, minced
- Dried green or brown lentils — 1 cup, rinsed and drained
- Canned crushed tomatoes — 14 oz
- Vegetable or chicken broth — 4 cups (low-sodium preferred)
- Bay leaf — 1
- Ground cumin — 1 teaspoon
- Smoked paprika — 1/2 teaspoon
- Red pepper flakes — a pinch (optional)
- Salt and black pepper — to taste (start with 1/2 teaspoon salt)
- Fresh lemon juice — 1 tablespoon (optional)
- Baby spinach or kale — 2 cups, chopped (optional)
- Fresh parsley (or cilantro) — for garnish (optional)
- Optional add-ins: diced ham, smoked sausage, or shredded chicken (cook separately or simmer with the soup)
Instructions
- Rinse the lentils under cold water until the water runs clear, then drain. Set aside.
- In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté 5–7 minutes, until the vegetables are tender and lightly caramelized at the edges.
- Add the garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes (if using). Sauté 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
- Stir in the lentils, crushed tomatoes, broth, and bay leaf. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce to a simmer.
- Simmer 25–30 minutes, or until the lentils are tender and the soup has a hearty, cohesive texture. If it thickens too much, splash in a little more broth or water.
- Discard the bay leaf. If you are using greens, stir them in now and cook 1–2 minutes until wilted. Finish with lemon juice, then season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Serve hot with crusty bread, a drizzle of olive oil, or a dollop of yogurt. A squeeze of lemon right before eating adds a fresh brightness that makes the flavors pop.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 servings
- Calories: 210 calories
- Sugar: 7 g
- Fat: 6 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 11 g
- Protein: 12 g
Keywords: lentil soup, one-pot, cozy soup, weeknight dinner, gluten-free, vegetarian, healthy, easy dinner, pantry-friendly
