Half-Portion Spiced Lentil and Vegetable Soup
A hearty, half-batch lentil soup packed with warming spices and fresh vegetables for a nutritious, comforting meal. This mediterranean-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 40 minutes pairs rinsed red lentils, medium, diced carrot, diced celery stalk for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 2, 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
- 1/2 cup rinsed red lentils
- 1 medium, diced carrot
- 1 diced celery stalk
- 1 small, diced onion
- 2 minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp ground coriander
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup canned diced tomatoes
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium pot, heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 1 small diced onion, 1 diced carrot, and 1 diced celery stalk. Cook for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 2: Stir in 2 minced garlic cloves, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, and 1/2 tsp ground coriander, cooking for 1 minute until spices bloom.
- Step 3: Add 1/2 cup rinsed red lentils, 3 cups vegetable broth, and 1/2 cup canned diced tomatoes. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes until lentils are tender.
- Step 4: Season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper, then stir in 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice for brightness.
- Step 5: Serve topped with 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro for a fresh finish.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Half-Portion Spiced Lentil and Vegetable Soup take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (10 min prep + 30 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 Half-Portion Spiced Lentil and Vegetable Soup?
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 red lentils from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Half-Portion Spiced Lentil and Vegetable Soup?
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 Half-Portion Spiced Lentil and Vegetable Soup for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Half-Portion Spiced Lentil and Vegetable Soup vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
Related recipes
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
