Simple Italian Lentil Soup: Easy, Healthy, and Perfect for Any Day!

lentils

🥗Healthier: green lentils

💰Cheaper: split peas

Split peas are often less expensive and cook faster.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: canola oil

Canola oil is typically more budget-friendly.

Rinse the lentils and check for impurities.

Fill a large pot with 16 cups of water and heat on medium-high.

Add the rinsed lentils, crushed tomatoes, garlic cloves, minced celery, parsley, and a drizzle of olive oil to the pot.

Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer without a lid for 1 to 1.5 hours until the lentils are tender.

After cooking, remove the garlic cloves from the soup.

Season the soup with 1 to 2 teaspoons of salt and fresh black pepper to taste.

Add the ditalini pasta to the soup and stir.

Check the pasta cooking time on the package and use the lower time; ensure the soup maintains a rolling simmer while cooking the pasta.

Occasionally stir the soup to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot.

After the pasta is cooked, turn off the heat and cover the pot; let it sit for 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary