Hearty lentil soup in a ceramic bowl with carrots, celery, herbs, olive oil swirl, and crusty bread on the side

Hearty Lentil Soup

ByAnita Cloete

This hearty lentil soup is the ultimate budget-friendly meal. It is filling, nutritious, and made with simple pantry ingredients. A big pot costs very little and feeds a crowd.

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 carrots, diced
  • 2 stalks celery, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 1/2 cups red lentils, rinsed
  • 4 cups vegetable stock
  • 1 can diced tomatoes
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large pot. Sauté onion, carrots, and celery for 5 minutes.
  2. Add garlic, cumin, and paprika. Cook 1 minute.
  3. Add lentils, stock, and diced tomatoes. Stir well.
  4. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cook 20-25 minutes until lentils are tender.
  5. Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot with crusty bread.

Hearty lentil soup in a ceramic bowl with carrots, celery, herbs, olive oil swirl, and crusty bread on the side

Hearty Lentil Soup

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 onion diced
  • 2 carrots diced
  • 2 stalks celery diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 11/2 cups red lentils rinsed
  • 4 cups vegetable stock
  • 1 can diced tomatoes
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • Salt and pepper

Method
 

  1. Heat olive oil in a large pot. Sauté onion, carrots, and celery for 5 minutes.
  2. Add garlic, cumin, and paprika. Cook 1 minute.
  3. Add lentils, stock, and diced tomatoes. Stir well.
  4. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cook 20-25 minutes until lentils are tender.
  5. Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot with crusty bread.

Notes

Red lentils cook faster and break down for a thicker soup. Add a squeeze of lemon before serving for brightness.

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