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Hearty Lentil Vegetable Soup

Hearty lentil vegetable soup with chunky vegetables in tomato broth
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This robust and comforting soup is a warm hug in a bowl. It’s built on humble, wholesome ingredients like lentils and a rainbow of vegetables that simmer together into a deeply satisfying and nourishing meal. Perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner or a lazy Sunday supper.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 3 medium carrots, peeled and diced
  • 3 celery stalks, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 cup brown or green lentils, rinsed and picked over
  • 6 cups vegetable broth
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
  • 4 cups chopped hearty greens (such as kale, Swiss chard, or spinach)

Instructions

  1. In a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrot, and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 8-10 minutes, until softened and the onion is translucent.
  2. Stir in the minced garlic, dried thyme, smoked paprika (if using), black pepper, and salt. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Pour in the crushed tomatoes, rinsed lentils, vegetable broth, and add the bay leaves. Stir well, scraping up any bits from the bottom of the pot.
  4. Increase heat to bring the soup to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Partially cover the pot and let it simmer for 30-40 minutes, or until the lentils are tender but not mushy. Stir occasionally.
  5. Once the lentils are cooked, stir in the chopped greens. For kale or chard, simmer for 5 more minutes to soften. For spinach, stir until just wilted. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper as needed. Remove the bay leaves before serving.

Notes

This soup tastes even better the next day and freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. For a creamier texture, stir in 1/2 cup of full-fat coconut milk at the end. Always taste and adjust seasoning before serving.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.homestyletable.com/hearty-lentil-vegetable-soup/