Pantry Tomato Lentil Soup

The Weeknight Hug

Some nights you need dinner to be warm, simple, and patient. This soup is all three — a humble pot of pantry ingredients that somehow tastes like you planned it days in advance.

It’s a choose-your-own-adventure bowl: red lentils for a silky texture, green for something heartier. The tomato brings brightness, the spices bring warmth, and the lemon juice at the end wakes everything up.

It’s the perfect in-between meal — satisfying enough for dinner, gentle enough for lunch, and exactly the kind of thing that tastes even better tomorrow.

Why You’ll Love It

• Built entirely from pantry staples.
• Naturally vegan and gluten-free.
• Freezer-friendly for emergency dinners.

Serve with crusty bread, a swirl of yogurt, or just a sprinkle of herbs and call it a night.

Fancy-feeling food for fried people.

Pantry Tomato Lentil Soup

A steaming bowl of “I had everything already.” Earthy lentils, bright tomato, and warm spices simmer into a soup that feels wholesome and intentional — even if you just dumped it all in a pot between emails.

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium onion diced
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• 1 cup dried red or green lentils rinsed
• 1 14 oz can diced tomatoes
• 4 cups vegetable broth or chicken broth
• ½ tsp kosher salt plus more to taste
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• Pinch of red pepper flakes optional
• Juice of ½ lemon
• Fresh parsley or cilantro for garnish

Instructions

• Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in garlic, cumin, and smoked paprika; cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
• Add lentils, tomatoes, broth, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for 25-30 minutes, until lentils are tender.
• Stir in lemon juice. Taste and adjust seasoning.
• Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh herbs.

Notes

• Why it works: Lentils thicken the soup naturally while tomatoes keep it bright and fresh.
• Shortcuts: Use pre-chopped frozen onions and jarred garlic to cut prep time.
• Toddler-friendly: Use red lentils for a softer texture and skip the red pepper flakes.
• Apéro energy: Serve in espresso cups with tiny spoons for a savory “shot.”