Hearty Lentil, Potato & Spinach Soup

Ingredients

1 cup (200 g) dry brown or green lentils, rinsed
2 tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
2 carrots, diced
2–3 cloves garlic, minced
2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 cup (240 g) diced tomatoes
5 cups (1.2 L) vegetable broth
2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp dried oregano
½ tsp cumin
½ tsp black pepper
½–1 tsp salt, to taste
1 bay leaf
1 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Optional: pinch of chili flakes

Instructions

Sauté vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large pot. Add onion and carrots and cook for 4–5 minutes.
Add garlic, paprika, cumin, oregano, and chili flakes. Cook for 30 seconds.
Add the lentils, potatoes, tomatoes, vegetable broth, bay leaf, salt, and pepper.
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 25–30 minutes, until the lentils and potatoes are tender.
Stir in the spinach and cook for another 2–3 minutes.
Remove the bay leaf. Add lemon juice and parsley.
Taste and adjust salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Serve hot with toasted crusty bread.

Quick Info

Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 30–35 minutes
Total: ~45–50 minutes
Servings: 5–6

Approx. Nutrition

Per serving (1/6 recipe):

Calories: ~300 kcal
Protein: ~14 g
Carbohydrates: ~48 g
Fat: ~8 g
Fiber: ~15 g
Sugar: ~8 g
Sodium: ~500–700 mg, depending on broth and salt

Q&A

Q: Can I use canned lentils?
Yes. Use about 3 cups cooked lentils and reduce the simmering time to about 15–20 minutes.

Q: Can I make it vegan?
Yes—the recipe is already vegan if you use vegetable broth.

Q: Can I freeze it?
Yes. Cool completely, portion into airtight containers, and freeze for up to 3 months.

Q: Can I add other vegetables?
Absolutely. Zucchini, celery, peas, or bell peppers work well.

Q: What makes it creamy?
The potatoes and lentils naturally thicken the broth as they cook. For a smoother texture, blend a small portion of the soup and stir it back in.

Author
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Sara Mitchell

Sara Mitchell is an expert restaurant content creator who writes easy-to-read guides about CAVA and other Mediterranean fast-casual chains in the United States. She covers locations, menus, prices, and hours, making it simple for visitors to find nearby restaurants and what to order quickly.

With years of experience in restaurant research and local SEO, Sara creates accurate, user-friendly guides that work for both people and search engines. Her goal is to help users go from search results to their nearest restaurant or menu choice with as few clicks as possible.