Lentil Soup Just Like Nonna’s
RECIPES
Homemade Lentil Soup
PREP TIME: 30 MINUTES
COOKING TIME: 30 MINUTES
SERVES: 4
Wholesome, hearty, and made with love—this lentil soup is the kind of meal that brings you right back to your Nonna’s kitchen just like I grew up having in my grandmother Mimi’s kitchen accompanied by an Italian sandwich. With simple ingredients and slow-simmered flavor, it’s the perfect dish for cold winter days, especially when served with a crusty sandwich on the side. Whether you're craving comfort or tradition, this recipe delivers both in every spoonful.
Ingredients:
2 tbsp olive oil
1 yellow onion, peeled and chopped (2 cups)
2 fresh carrots, peeled and chopped (¾ cup)
2 celery stalks, chopped (1 cup)
2 garlic cloves, minced
1-14.5oz can diced basil, garlic & oregano tomatoes
½ cup lentils
3 cups store-bought chicken broth
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp ground black pepper
1 cup tap water
½ cup ditalini pasta
Directions:
1.Heat oil over medium heat in a medium sauce pan. Add onion, carrots, celery, and garlic and sauté until cooked and slightly browned, about 8 minutes.
2.Add tomatoes and their juice and simmer for about 8 more minutes until bubbly.
3.Add the lentils, broth, salt, and pepper and stir. Increase heat to medium-high and bring to a boil.
4.Once boiling, reduce heat to low, cover and allow to simmer until the lentils are tender, about 30 minutes.
5.Meanwhile, fill a medium sauce pan with salted water and bring to a boil on high heat. Once water is boiling, reduce heat to medium, add pasta and cook until al dente, about 10 minutes.
6.Drain pasta and add as desired to individual serving bowls when ready to serve soup.
7.Ladle the soup into the bowls over the pasta and sprinkle with parmesan cheese as desired.
NOTES:
Add the pasta to the soup only when serving.
Do not store the soup leftovers with pasta as the pasta will soak up all of the broth.
When an unexpected friendship sparked a calling I couldn't ignore, I found myself on a solo journey to Greece — carrying a forgotten bag, chasing flavors, and celebrating my 42nd birthday in a place that felt like home from the moment I arrived. This is the story of how I found courage, connection, and a new sense of belonging under the Grecian sun.