Simple Healthy Lentil Soup (Easy One-Pot Recipe)

This Simple Healthy Lentil Soup (Easy One-Pot Recipe) is made with tender green lentils, fresh vegetables, and a cozy blend of herbs and spices. It’s hearty, nourishing, and made with everyday pantry staples—perfect for an easy weeknight dinner or healthy meal prep.

This recipe comes from my sister-in-law Hillary, whose cooking I’ve always admired. She focuses on real, whole ingredients that turn into meals that feel homemade and satisfying. My mother-in-law even created a family recipe book, and this one has always stood out as a family favorite.

If you’re looking for a healthy soup that’s comforting, filling, and full of flavor, you’ll make this one again and again. Some other cozy veggie soups are Creamy Minestrone Soup and Tomato Parmesan

Why You’ll Love This Healthy Lentil Soup

This is the kind of recipe you come back to week after week:

• Quick and easy to make
• Made with whole, simple ingredients
• Budget-friendly and pantry-based
• High in fiber and plant protein
• Naturally vegan and dairy-free
• Great for meal prep and leftovers
• Comforting without feeling heavy

Ingredients for Simple Healthy Lentil Soup (Easy One-Pot Recipe)

Main Ingredients

• 2 cups green lentils, rinsed
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 1 tsp onion powder or ½ small onion, chopped
• 8 cups water or vegetable broth
• 1 (15-oz) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 tsp basil
• 1 tsp oregano
• 3 garlic cloves, crushed
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 cup baby spinach
• Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
• Fresh lemon juice, for serving

How to Make Healthy Lentil Soup

Build the Flavor Base

Add carrots, celery, olive oil, crushed tomatoes, and garlic to a large pot. Cook over medium heat for 2–3 minutes until fragrant.

Add Lentils, Broth & Herbs

Stir in lentils, basil, oregano, onion powder (or onion), bay leaves, and broth.

Simmer the Soup

Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20–25 minutes, until lentils are tender but still hold their shape.

Finish and Season

Stir in spinach until wilted. Add lemon juice and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Simple Healthy Lentil Soup Variations

Make this soup your own with simple add-ins like:

• Kale or Swiss chard
• Mushrooms
• Sweet potatoes or squash
• Zucchini or green beans
• Fresh thyme or rosemary
• Parmesan (not vegan, but delicious)

Healthy Lentil Soup FAQs

Can I use red lentils instead of green?
Yes, but the texture will change. Red lentils soften quickly and become creamy, while green lentils stay hearty. If you want a chunkier soup, stick with green or brown lentils.

Is this soup good for meal prep?
Absolutely. The flavors deepen overnight and the soup reheats beautifully.

Can I freeze lentil soup?
Yes! Let it cool completely, then freeze for up to 3 months.

How to Store Lentil Soup

This soup tastes even better the next day.

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth if needed.

More soup recipes

creamy crockpot split pea soup

Slow Cooker Tomato Parmesan soup

Simple Healthy Lentil Soup

Tender green lentils, fresh veggies and spices for a hearty, healthy soup

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Course dinner, lunch

Cuisine Mediterranean

Servings 6

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 2 cups green lentils
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 2 carrots – peeled and diced
• 2 celery stalks – diced
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 8 cups water or vegetable broth
• 1 – 15 oz can – crushed tomatoes
• 1 tsp basil
• 1 tsp oregano
• 3 garlic cloves – crushed
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 cup baby spinach
• Kosher salt
• Black pepper
• Fresh lemon

Instructions

 

• Place the carrots, celery, crushed tomatoes, garlic, and olive oil into a large pot and stir together
• Add the water or broth, lentils and spices and stir again
• Bring to a boil and then reduce heat and simmer on medium heat for 20-25 minutes or until lentils are soften. You don’t want them to be mushy, but still hold their shape and a bit of firmness.
• Stir in spinach and a squeeze of lemon

Keyword healthy lentil soup recipe, healthy lentil soup recipe easy, hearty lentil soup, lentil and vegetable soup, lentil veggie soup

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