Lentil and Vegetable Soup (Printable)

A hearty, nourishing soup with tender lentils and roasted vegetables ready in one hour.

# What You'll Need:

→ Lentils

01 - 1 cup dried green or brown lentils, rinsed

→ Vegetables

02 - 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
03 - 2 celery stalks, diced
04 - 1 medium zucchini, diced
05 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
06 - 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
07 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
09 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

→ Broth & Seasoning

10 - 6 cups vegetable broth
11 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
12 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
13 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
14 - 1 bay leaf
15 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Finishing

16 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
17 - Juice of ½ lemon

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F.
02 - Toss carrots, celery, zucchini, bell pepper, and cherry tomatoes with 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 20 minutes until lightly caramelized.
03 - Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and sauté for 4 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
04 - Stir in the rinsed lentils, roasted vegetables, vegetable broth, thyme, oregano, smoked paprika, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 25 minutes until lentils are tender.
05 - Remove bay leaf. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and lemon juice as desired.
06 - Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The roasted vegetables add a subtle sweetness that transforms simple broth into something memorable.
  • It comes together in just an hour, making it perfect for those evenings when you need comfort without the fuss.
  • One bowl keeps you satisfied for hours—the protein and fiber work quietly in your favor.
02 -
  • Roasting the vegetables first isn't extra—it's the entire reason this soup tastes like you've been tending it all day when you've really only been in the kitchen an hour.
  • Rinsing your lentils matters more than you'd think, and adding them to a boil rather than cold broth helps them cook evenly and stay whole.
03 -
  • Don't skip the step of rinsing your lentils—it removes dust and any debris and helps them cook more evenly.
  • If your broth is particularly salty, taste before adding extra seasoning at the end, since the soup concentrates as it simmers.
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