Hearty Italian Lentils

This cozy, rustic lentil soup is brimming with vegetables, warming spices, and rich umami depth from fire-roasted tomatoes and a touch of balsamic vinegar. Finished with tender pasta and a sprinkle of parmesan, it’s the kind of nourishing comfort food you’ll want to cozy up with on any day of the week. Serve with warm crusty bread or a side salad for a complete meal.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
4 small to medium carrots, diced
3 celery stalks, diced
3 green onions, white parts only (save the greens for homemade stock)
1 shallot, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 (14.5 oz) can fire-roasted tomatoes
1 cup dry lentils (green or brown)
6 cups low-sodium chicken stock (homemade preferred)
¼ teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
¼ cup elbow pasta (or any small pasta)
¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper, to taste

Build the Base

In a large Dutch oven or soup pot, heat butter and olive oil over medium heat.
Add the carrots, celery, shallots, and green onion whites, and sauté for about 10 minutes, or until vegetables begin to soften.
Stir in the red pepper flakes, then add the garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes, just until fragrant. Be careful not to let the garlic burn.

Add Tomatoes and Lentils

Pour in the fire-roasted tomatoes and stir, allowing them to cook down for about 3 minutes.
Add the lentils, stirring to coat and allowing them to absorb the tomato juices for a few minutes.

Simmer the Soup

Pour in the chicken stock, season with salt and pepper, and add the thyme and balsamic vinegar.
Bring to a low simmer, cover partially, and cook for about 1 hour, or until the lentils are tender but not falling apart.

Add Pasta & Finish

Stir in the pasta and cook for another 12–14 minutes, or until the pasta is fully tender.
Once ready, stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted and evenly distributed throughout the soup.

Enjoy!

Ladle this hearty lentil soup into bowls and top with an extra sprinkle of Parmesan or a crack of fresh black pepper. It’s even better the next day, making it perfect for meal prep or comforting leftovers. 🥄🍲🧄