This cozy Italian lentil soup is so tasty, you’ll immediately want seconds! It’s healthy, easy, and full of bold flavor.

Italian lentil soup

This Italian lentil soup came together by chance. Ever have those moments where your spouse or partner is really passionate about something, and you’re not so sure about it? Alex had a vision of creating an Italian lentil soup recipe with artichokes, tomatoes, and lentils. I was dubious it would all work together… and even he was surprised at how well it came out! This soup recipe pairs earthy and tangy flavors in a way that draws you in bite after bite.

What to know about this lentil and kale soup

This Italian lentil soup comes together in just over 30 minutes and requires very little skill to make. The Italian seasonings and tangy fire-roasted tomatoes make it totally irresistible. My extended family loves it so much that we make it every Christmas Eve! Here are a few keys to the flavor in this lentil soup recipe:

  • Fire roasted tomatoes are a must. Fire roasted tomatoes are a must in this lentil soup. The tomatoes add a subtly sweet flavor that you won’t get if you use regular canned tomatoes. If you can’t find them, use the highest quality tomatoes you can find.
  • Season as needed throughout the cooking process. Depending on tomato and artichoke brands, you may need to add a different amount of salt to this Tuscan lentil soup. Make sure to taste and add enough salt until the flavor pops.
  • Don’t overcook the lentils. Red lentils need about 20 minutes to cook through fully. If you overcook them, they’ll lose their shape and will become incredibly soft. Your Italian lentil soup may get too thick if the lentils become too soft, so watch closely during the end of the cook time.
Italian lentil soup

All about red lentils!

Red lentils named for their beautiful orange-pink color, though they turn yellow when cooked. Of any of the lentil varieties, the texture of red lentils breaks down the quickest. Because they cook faster than regular brown and green lentils, we love adding them into our soups and stews like this lentil stew.

If your store doesn’t carry red lentils, what to substitute? This Italian lentil soup also works with green or brown lentils. Just keep in mind that using different types of lentils affects the cook time! You may need to cook brown and green lentils a tad longer than the red variety. Red lentils break down very quickly, so make sure not to overcook them.

More red lentil recipes? Masoor Dal is cozy and nuanced, Mediterranean-style Creamy Red Lentil Soup is spiced with cumin and paprika. Or, check out more of our Best Lentil Recipes.

Red lentils
Uncooked red lentils have a vibrant orange-pink color

Cooking with Tuscan kale

Try to find Tuscan kale for this recipe! Tuscan kale is an Italian variety with a dark green color and mild flavor. It may also be labeled as Lacinato kale, dinosaur kale, black kale, or cavolo nero (black cabbage in Italian). The leaves are very dark green and flat, compared to curly kale which has frilly, brighter green leaves. If you can’t find Tuscan kale by any of these names, you can substitute curly kale, or even other leafy greens like spinach or chard.

Why is it best to use in this Italian lentil soup? Well, it’s only fitting to use Italian-style kale in an Italian soup! But the flavor is also important. The flavor of Tuscan kale is milder and sweeter than curly kale, which can taste bitter and spicy.

Tuscan kale
Look for Tuscan kale: also called Lacinato kale, dinosaur kale or cavolo nero

How to serve this Italian lentil soup

To serve this Italian lentil soup recipe as a meal, we suggest a side salad or bread to go along with it. Here are a few suggestions:

Italian lentil soup

This Italian lentil soup recipe is…

Vegetarian, gluten-free, vegan, plant-based and dairy free (without the Parmesan cheese garnish).

Print
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Italian Lentil Soup


  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4 to 6 1x

Description

This cozy Italian lentil soup is so tasty, you’ll immediately want seconds! It’s healthy, easy, and full of bold flavor.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 large yellow onion
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • 1 15-ounce can quartered artichoke hearts
  • ½ bunch Tuscan kale (also labeled as Lacinato, dinosaur kale or cavolo nero)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1 tablespoon dried basil
  • 1 cup dried red lentils
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 bay leaf
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 28-ounce cans fire roasted whole tomatoes
  • Shaved Parmesan cheese (optional), for garnish

Instructions

  1. Dice the onion. Mince the garlic. Drain the artichoke hearts, and chop them into bite sized pieces. Wash and thinly slice the kale into ribbons.
  2. In a large soup pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat and saute the onion for 5 minutes, until translucent. Add the minced garlic, dried oregano, and dried basil. Saute for another minute.
  3. Add the red lentils, water, red pepper flakes, kosher salt, and 1 bay leaf and bring to a boil.
  4. Once boiling, reduce to a simmer and add the kale, artichokes, and the liquid from the whole tomatoes. Then chop the whole tomatoes into bite sized pieces, and add them to the pot.
  5. Simmer for 20 minutes, until the lentils are tender. Be careful not to overcook the lentils, or they will become too soft.
  6. Taste, and additional kosher salt as necessary. Serve with a drizzle of olive oil and shaved Parmesan cheese.
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Italian

Keywords: Lentil Stew, Kale, Stew with Kale, Kale Stew, Tomato Artichoke, Artichoke Stew, Healthy, Dinner, Vegetarian, Vegan, Stew

Looking for more vegetarian recipes? 

Are you looking for vegetarian dinner recipes? Here are a few of our favorite simple dinner vegetarian dinner recipes outside of this Tuscan lentil soup:

Last updated: October 2020

About the authors

Sonja & Alex

Meet Sonja and Alex Overhiser: Husband and wife. Expert home cooks. Authors of recipes you'll want to make again and again.

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92 Comments

  1. Tomatoes and artichokes and lentils are some of my favorite foods. Healthy or not I love them, so this soup looks so good!!

    Love the photos if the snow and your house! Plus, your dream house is beautiful as well!

  2. i’m always looking for new ways to use artichokes, this is such a great idea for soup!

    the pictures of the snow are so beautiful, I wish DC was snow-pretty long enough during the day during the vortex…

    1. Thanks! We had a perfect afternoon of fluffy snow and moderate freezing before the vortex fully hit. It was so fun to tromp around in the neighborhood!

  3. All the yummiest of things in one heavenly sounding, hearty soup. LOVE.
    And what a magical looking house – it looks like something out of a fairytale!

    1. Haha! Thanks. And yes, it does seem like it is out of a fairy tale–Sonja tries to move in every time we walk by (though I maintain that all those beautiful trees would kill the light for photo’ing our food…).

  4. We cling to soup in the winter, too. It’s my belief that the harsh winter elements are easier to tolerate when there’s a hearty pot of soup hanging out on the stove, waiting to warm one’s innards. One of my favorite winter feelings, I think.

    Also, do I spy Bill’s house next door? {{{HI, B!}}}
    Also also, your house is a beaut.

  5. This might be a silly question, but since you have to chop up the whole tomatoes, why can’t you just use diced?

    1. Not a silly question! I experimented with diced and crushed, but just like the size and texture of the chopped whole tomatoes better than the diced. If you aren’t feeling messy, don’t think it won’t detract too much to substitute diced with their liquid :)

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