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4.8 from 15 votes

Armenian Lentil Soup with Macaroni

This simple and hearty Armenian Lentil Soup with Macaroni is lemony and garlicky with a generous amount of cumin!

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
45 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 288 kcal
Course: Main Course , Soup
Cuisine: Armenian

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup small macaroni such as ditalini, small shells, or stars (pastina)
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • ¾ cup chopped onions
  • 2 cups lentils
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 4 cups water (if making vegetarian soup, omit chicken broth and use 8 cups water instead)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 5 cloves garlic minced
  • ⅓ cup lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • Kosher salt and hot red pepper such as cayenne

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until almost al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water. Set aside.
  2. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a pot over medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook until softened. Then add the lentils, broth, and water, cover and bring the mixture to a boil. When the mixture comes to a boil, lower the heat and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, for about 30 minutes or until the lentils are tender.
  3. Stir in the cooked pasta, tomato paste, garlic, lemon juice, and cumin. Season with salt and hot pepper (just a pinch or two), and serve immediately.

Notes

  • You may be tempted to just boil the pasta directly in the soup, but doing so will absorb much of the liquid and leave the soup incredibly thick. Leftover soup may thicken up as well, as the residual liquid absorbs into the pasta, but feel free to thin it out with a little water or chicken broth when you heat it back up.

Nutrition Information

Calories 288kcal (14%) Carbohydrates 41g (14%) Protein 13g (26%) Fat 6g (9%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Polyunsaturated Fat 2g Monounsaturated Fat 2g Cholesterol 7mg (2%) Sodium 281mg (12%) Potassium 340mg (10%) Fiber 7g (28%) Sugar 3g (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 288

% Daily Value*

Calories 288kcal 14%
Carbohydrates 41g 14%
Protein 13g 26%
Fat 6g 9%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g 12%
Monounsaturated Fat 2g 10%
Cholesterol 7mg 2%
Sodium 281mg 12%
Potassium 340mg 7%
Fiber 7g 28%
Sugar 3g 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.