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+ servings
Cheap Lentil and Vegetable Soup
Jon Simon

Cheap Lentil and Vegetable Soup | Budget Work Lunch

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A hearty, freezer-friendly red lentil and vegetable soup that costs under $2 per serving and feeds 5 work-lunch portions from one pot. Pantry-friendly and ready in 30 minutes.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 yellow onion diced
  • 2 carrots diced
  • 2 stalk celery diced
  • 3 clove garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • cup red lentils rinsed
  • 1 can diced tomatoes 14 oz / 400 g
  • 6 cup vegetable broth low-sodium
  • 1 teaspoon salt to taste
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice fresh

Equipment

Method
 

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery and cook for 5 to 7 minutes until softened.
  2. Stir in the garlic, cumin, and smoked paprika and cook for one minute until fragrant.
  3. Add the rinsed red lentils, diced tomatoes with their juice, and the broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
  4. Simmer uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the lentils are soft and the soup has thickened.
  5. Season with salt to taste and stir in the lemon juice. Portion into airtight containers for the week, or cool and freeze.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 240kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 14gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 620mgFiber: 7gSugar: 6g

Notes

Net carbs: 28g per serving (35g total carbs minus 7g fiber).
Substitutions: Use green or brown lentils for a chunkier soup (add 10 minutes to the simmer); swap broth for water plus a bouillon cube to cut cost further; add a handful of spinach or kale at the end for extra greens.
Storage: Keeps refrigerated for up to 5 days in airtight containers; freezes well for up to 3 months in single-serve portions.
Reheating: Microwave 2 to 3 minutes, stirring halfway through, or warm on the stovetop with a splash of water if it has thickened.

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