Hearty and  Healthy Lentil Soup This hearty lentil soup is a simple and satisfying weeknight meal. Packed with protein and fiber, it's a warming and wholesome dish perfect for chilly evenings. About Time: Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes Servings: 4 Ingredients: 1 large onion, chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 stalks celery, chopped 1 large carrot, chopped 1 cup (190g) brown lentils, rinsed 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled (optional) 8 cups (approx 2 liters) vegetable stock 4 tablespoons tomato paste 2 teaspoons mixed herbs (dried oregano, thyme, rosemary) 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce Salt and black pepper to taste Freshly chopped Italian parsley, for garnish Olive oil spray Instructions: Sauté the Veggies: Spray a large pot with olive oil spray and heat over medium-high. Add onion, garlic, celery, and carrot. Sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Simmer the Soup: Add lentils, tomato paste, vegetable stock, mixed herbs, balsamic vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 hour. Finish & Serve: Stir in crumbled bacon (if using). Continue to simmer for an additional 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot. Tips: Spice it Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a chopped jalapeño for extra heat. Boost the Protein: Include a can of diced tomatoes or a cup of chopped spinach. Make it Heartier: Add cooked quinoa or brown rice for a more filling meal. Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Enjoy this delicious and nutritious lentil soup! lentil soup recipe, easy lentil soup, healthy lentil soup, gluten-free lentil soup, dairy-free lentil soup, weight watchers lentil soup, slimming lentil soup, vegetarian lentil soup, vegan lentil soup, simple soup recipes

Hearty and  Healthy Lentil Soup

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Hearty and  Healthy Lentil Soup

This hearty lentil soup is a simple and satisfying weeknight meal. Packed with protein and fiber, it’s a warming and wholesome dish perfect for chilly evenings.

About Time:

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Servings: 4

Ingredients:

  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 stalks celery, chopped
  • 1 large carrot, chopped
  • 1 cup (190g) brown lentils, rinsed
  • 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled (optional)
  • 8 cups (approx 2 liters) vegetable stock
  • 4 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 teaspoons mixed herbs (dried oregano, thyme, rosemary)
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Freshly chopped Italian parsley, for garnish
  • Olive oil spray

Instructions:

  • Sauté the Veggies: Spray a large pot with olive oil spray and heat over medium-high. Add onion, garlic, celery, and carrot.
  • Sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
  • Simmer the Soup: Add lentils, tomato paste, vegetable stock, mixed herbs, balsamic vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 hour.
  • Finish & Serve: Stir in crumbled bacon (if using). Continue to simmer for an additional 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.

Tips:

  • Spice it Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a chopped jalapeño for extra heat.
  • Boost the Protein: Include a can of diced tomatoes or a cup of chopped spinach.
  • Make it Heartier: Add cooked quinoa or brown rice for a more filling meal.
  • Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
    Enjoy this delicious and nutritious lentil soup!