Creamy Roasted Sweet Potato & Lentil Soup with Smoky Paprika
A velvety, nutrient-dense soup with sweet potatoes, protein-rich lentils, and a hint of smoky paprika for cozy weeknight comfort. This vegetarian-inspired soups (vegan, gluten-free) ready in about 60 minutes pairs rinsed green lentils, vegetable broth, medium, finely diced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 medium, peeled and diced into 1/2-inch cubes sweet potatoes
- 1 cup, rinsed green lentils
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 medium, finely diced onion
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 cup coconut milk
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss 2 diced sweet potatoes with 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper on a baking sheet. Roast for 20 minutes until tender and slightly caramelized.
- Step 2: While potatoes roast, heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 diced onion and 2 minced garlic cloves, sautéing for 5 minutes until soft and translucent — do not brown.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 cup rinsed green lentils, 4 cups vegetable broth, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 25 minutes until lentils are tender.
- Step 4: Add the roasted sweet potatoes to the pot and stir to combine. Cook for 5 more minutes until heated through. Remove from heat and blend with an immersion blender until completely smooth and creamy.
- Step 5: Stir in 1/2 cup coconut milk and adjust salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for 2 minutes until warmed through, then serve hot.
Equipment for this recipe
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Frequently asked questions
How long does Creamy Roasted Sweet Potato & Lentil Soup with Smoky Paprika take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (15 min prep + 45 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Creamy Roasted Sweet Potato & Lentil Soup with Smoky Paprika?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep rinsed green lentils from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Creamy Roasted Sweet Potato & Lentil Soup with Smoky Paprika?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Creamy Roasted Sweet Potato & Lentil Soup with Smoky Paprika for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Creamy Roasted Sweet Potato & Lentil Soup with Smoky Paprika vegan?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegan, gluten-free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Kids gobbled it up without complaints — that's a 5-star in my book.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 45-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.