Slow-Simmered Tomato and Lentil Soup
A deeply flavorful soup simmered gently with tomatoes, lentils, and herbs for a nourishing bowl of comfort. This italian-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 60 minutes pairs olive oil, onion, garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 200 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
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium, finely chopped onion
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 cup, rinsed green lentils
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium-low heat. Add 1 medium finely chopped onion and cook for 5 minutes until soft and translucent, stirring occasionally.
- Step 2: Stir in 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, then add 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes, 1 cup rinsed green lentils, 4 cups vegetable broth, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper; bring to a gentle simmer.
- Step 3: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 45 minutes, stirring once halfway, until lentils are tender and soup has thickened slightly.
- Step 4: Stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil and serve warm.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Simmered Tomato and Lentil Soup 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 Slow-Simmered Tomato and Lentil 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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Simmered Tomato and Lentil 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 Slow-Simmered Tomato and Lentil Soup 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 Slow-Simmered Tomato and Lentil 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
This soup is a perfect comfort food on cold nights. The lentils and tomatoes are perfectly balanced.
- ★★★★★
Made this for my family, and they loved it! So easy to prepare and so flavorful.
- ★★★★★
Loved it! Simple and delicious.
