Slow-Simmered Vegetable and Lentil Soup with Smoked Paprika
A nourishing soup simmered with root vegetables, lentils, and smoked paprika for a deeply flavorful and satisfying meal. This mediterranean-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 75 minutes pairs olive oil, large, diced onion, large, peeled and diced carrot for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 250 calories and feeds 6, 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 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large, diced onion
- 2 large, peeled and diced carrot
- 2 stalks, diced celery
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 cup, rinsed brown lentils
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 large, peeled and diced potato
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 bay leaf
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 large onion, diced, and cook for 5 minutes until softened and translucent, stirring occasionally.
- Step 2: Add 2 large carrots, peeled and diced, 2 celery stalks, diced, and 3 cloves garlic, minced. Cook for 5 minutes until vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 cup rinsed brown lentils, 4 cups vegetable broth, 1 large potato, diced, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, and 1 bay leaf. Bring to a gentle boil.
- Step 4: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 45 minutes, or until lentils and potatoes are tender.
- Step 5: Remove bay leaf. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Simmer uncovered for 5 minutes to thicken slightly if needed.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Simmered Vegetable and Lentil Soup with Smoked Paprika take to make?
Total time is about 75 minutes (15 min prep + 60 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 Vegetable and Lentil Soup with Smoked 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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Simmered Vegetable and Lentil Soup with Smoked 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 Slow-Simmered Vegetable and Lentil Soup with Smoked Paprika for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Vegetable and Lentil Soup with Smoked Paprika 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
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 60-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
