Easy Lentil Noodle Soup (One Pot, 30 Minutes) Recipe
A comforting and nutritious one-pot lentil noodle soup that comes together in just 30 minutes. This easy recipe combines hearty lentils, aromatic spices, and tender pasta in a flavorful tomato and vegetable broth base, perfect for a quick lunch or dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 1 stalk celery, chopped
- 1 carrot, chopped or sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, grated
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
Spices and Seasonings
- 2 teaspoons turmeric
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (to taste)
- ¾ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Liquids and Canned Goods
- 5 cups vegetable broth
- 1 can crushed tomatoes (15 oz / 400 g)
- 2 cans lentils (15 oz / 400 g each, rinsed and drained)
Pasta and Garnish
- 4 ounces short pasta (ditalini, small shells, broken angel hair, or elbow)
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
- 1 lemon (for juice)
Instructions
- Make flavor base: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, celery, and carrot. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring often, until the vegetables begin to soften and become fragrant.
- Add garlic and spices: Stir in the grated garlic, tomato paste, turmeric, cumin, and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Cook for about 1 minute until the mixture is fragrant. If the pot becomes dry at this point, add a small splash of water to prevent sticking.
- Simmer soup: Pour in the vegetable broth, crushed tomatoes, rinsed lentils, salt, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Cook the pasta: Stir in the short pasta and continue to cook until the noodles are tender but not mushy, approximately 8 to 12 minutes depending on the pasta type. If the soup thickens too much, add a little hot water or extra broth to reach your desired consistency. Turn off the heat once pasta is cooked.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, chopped parsley, and a drizzle of good quality olive oil for extra brightness and flavor.
Notes
- You can use any small pasta you have on hand such as ditalini, small shells, or broken angel hair.
- Adjust the spice level by increasing or decreasing the amount of red pepper flakes.
- If you prefer a thicker soup, reduce the broth slightly or let it simmer longer before adding pasta.
- Leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days and can be reheated gently on the stove adding extra broth as needed.
Keywords: lentil soup, noodle soup, one pot soup, easy soup recipe, vegan lentil soup, quick dinner, healthy soup
