Hearty Lentil Soup with Pasta
A traditional Italian lentil soup with vegetables, pasta, and parmesan - hearty, comforting, and perfect as a meatless main.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil, extra virgin (plus extra for drizzling)
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 14 ounce can diced tomatoes
- 1 pound lentils (about 1 1/4 cups)
- 12 cups chicken broth
- 4 thyme sprigs (or 1/2 tsp of dried thyme)
- 1 cup small pasta (elbows or ditalini work beautifully)
- freshly grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
Build the Flavor Base
- Heat olive oil in a heavy large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Stir in the garlic, salt, and pepper. Sauté until the vegetables are tender and fragrant, about 8 minutes.
- Add the diced tomatoes with their juices. Let them simmer and break down, about 8 minutes more, stirring occasionally.
Simmer the Lentils
- Add the lentils and stir to coat in all that goodness. Pour in the broth and add the thyme. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until the lentils are almost tender - about 30 minutes.
Add the Pasta
- Stir in the pasta and cook until tender but still slightly firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
Finish and Serve
- Ladle into bowls. Sprinkle generously with grated parmesan. Drizzle with a little olive oil. Serve hot and cozy.
Notes
Tips & Variations
- Want it vegetarian? Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- Prefer it thicker? Let it simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes.
- No pasta? Skip it - the lentils alone make this hearty enough.
- Add greens like spinach or escarole at the end for extra nutrition.
- This soup freezes beautifully (just cook pasta separately if freezing).
🥣 Estimated Nutrition Per Serving
Calories: 410–440 Protein: 22–24g Carbohydrates: 65g Fiber: 17–19g Fat: 9–11g Saturated Fat: 2–3g Cholesterol: 5–10mg (mostly from parmesan) Sodium: 750–900mg (depends heavily on broth used) Sugar: 6–8gWhy It’s Such a Nutritional Powerhouse
- Lentils = plant-based protein + fiber bomb
- Vegetables = vitamins + antioxidants
- Pasta = energy + heartiness
- Olive oil = healthy fats
- Parmesan = small protein boost + flavor