Servings
Font
Back
Lentil Soup (Italian Vegetable)
5 from 372 votes

Lentil Soup (Italian Vegetable)

This Lentil Soup brings together brown lentils, diced vegetables, and herbs in a savory vegetable broth. Simmered with garlic, carrots, onions, and zucchini, and finished with lemon juice, it delivers a hearty texture and a balanced flavor with a hint of brightness. It’s a filling meal option incorporating wholesome ingredients suited for cooler days or anytime a comforting soup is desired.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
1 hr
Total Time
1 hr 10 mins
Servings: 6
Course: Soup
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 1/2 cups carrot 3 medium, diced
  • 1 1/2 cups onion 1 medium, yellow, diced
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp garlic 4 cloves, minced
  • 4 vegetable broth 14.5 oz cans
  • 2 diced tomatoes 14.5 oz) cans
  • 1 1/4 cups brown lentils rinsed and picked over, dried
  • 1 1/2 tsp basil dried
  • 1/2 tsp oregano dried
  • 1/2 tsp thyme dried
  • salt freshly ground
  • black pepper freshly ground
  • 1 1/2 cups zucchini 1 medium, diced
  • 2 cups kale packed chopped, or spinach
  • 1 Tbsp lemon juice fresh
  • Parmesan Cheese , for serving (optional)

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. 
  2. Add carrots and onions and saute 2 minutes then add garlic and saute 2 minutes longer. 
  3. Pour in vegetable broth and tomatoes. Add in lentils, basil, oregano, thyme and season with salt and pepper to taste. 
  4. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer 35 minutes, stirring occasionally. 
  5. Add in zucchini and kale and simmer 10 minutes longer, if using spinach wait to add it until the last 2 minutes. 
  6. Stir in lemon juice and add up to 1 cup of water to thin as needed (as the soup rests the lentils soak up more of the broth). 
  7. Serve warm with parmesan cheese if desired.

Notes

  • Use brown or green lentils for consistent cooking times; red lentils cook faster and require less seasoning adjustment.
  • Dried Italian seasoning can replace the individual herbs basil, oregano, and thyme for convenience.
  • Chicken broth may substitute vegetable broth if desired without greatly changing flavor.
  • Lemon juice adds essential brightness to the soup; do not omit it for best flavor balance.