"Mom, what's for dinner tonight?" my two kids shout in unison. "Lentil soup," I reply. "What? Lenses?" one exclaims. The other chimes in, "Eww, lice?" It's their first time trying lentil soup—no one in the family had heard of it before (even my husband looked skeptical). But as a home cook passionate about healthy eating, I knew it was time to mix up our routine with some nutritious variety after all the holiday indulgences. Lentil soup it is!
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The kids quickly warmed up—they love soup—and got back to their holiday fun. Meanwhile, I grabbed pen and paper for the shopping list. I'd mastered zucchini soup, but lentil soup was new territory. As an experienced home cook, I've learned you can get creative with ingredients, and it always turns out delicious. Here's my tried-and-true version that the whole family raved about!
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Making this lentil soup is simple and foolproof—perfect for busy weeknights.
Sauté the garlic and onion in olive oil. Add the bay leaf, thyme, eggplant, bell pepper, mushrooms, and tomatoes; cook until softened.
In a separate pan, fry the bacon cubes until crispy, then stir into the veggies. Add the chicken stock and drained lentils. Simmer for 15 minutes, then toss in the spinach. Once wilted (just a few minutes), it's ready.
Ladle into bowls, top with a dollop of Greek yogurt, and garnish with fresh parsley.
A soup maker works great too—no need to babysit the stove.
We paired it with crusty baguette from the oven for a satisfying meal. The bread's optional but delicious.
The kids devoured it, despite initially saying, "Yuck, it looks gross!" (Pizza or fries are still their gold standard.) My daughter quibbled over the spinach volume—it wasn't her creamy favorite—but I loved the fresh boost. This hearty soup is now a weekly staple for nutritious family dinners.
Craving more? Check all my soup recipes here.
Freeze extras for easy future meals. For small amounts, transform into lunch: Fry with eggs for a protein-packed hash, as shown above. Sauté two eggs, stir in leftovers, heat through—done!
Try our lentil soup and share your thoughts—I'm all ears!
