Cozy Vegetable Lentil Soup Recipe
A cozy and hearty vegetable lentil soup packed with nutritious ingredients like carrots, celery, spinach, and lentils, simmered to perfection in a flavorful broth with tomatoes and spices. Perfect for a comforting meal that’s both healthy and satisfying.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 rib celery, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, grated
- ½ pound spinach
Dry Ingredients and Seasonings
- 1 cup dried lentils (green or brown), rinsed
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1½ teaspoons dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ¼ teaspoon salt, or more to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Liquids and Others
- 6 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth
- 2 cans crushed tomatoes (15 oz / 400 g each)
- 1 lemon, juiced
Instructions
- Build the flavor base: Heat 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped carrots, onion, and celery. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently until the onion softens. Then add the grated garlic and paprika, cooking for another minute until fragrant.
- Simmer the lentils: Rinse 1 cup of dried lentils thoroughly and check for any debris. Add the lentils to the pot with 6 cups of broth, two cans of crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, salt, red pepper flakes, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the lentils are tender.
- Make it creamy: For a creamier consistency, blend a few cups of the soup and stir it back into the pot. This step is optional; you can skip blending if you prefer a chunkier texture.
- Add spinach and serve: Stir in the spinach and cook just until it wilts. If the soup gets too thick, add a little water or additional broth to reach your desired consistency. Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning if needed. Finish by squeezing in fresh lemon juice. Serve the soup warm with crusty bread.
Notes
- You can use either chicken broth or vegetable broth to make this soup vegetarian-friendly.
- Blending some of the soup is optional but gives a lovely creamy texture without adding cream.
- Adjust red pepper flakes and salt to taste for your desired spice and seasoning level.
- This soup can be stored refrigerated for up to 4 days and freezes well for longer storage.
- Serve with crusty bread for a complete, comforting meal.
Keywords: vegetable lentil soup, cozy soup, healthy lentil soup, easy soup recipe, vegetarian soup, hearty soup
Find it online: https://recipeswithmia.com/cozy-vegetable-lentil-soup-recipe/
