This filling and flavorful Italian Lentil Soup can be made in either the Instant Pot or Crock-Pot, for a quick and easy soup that will warm you up on a cold day! Vegetarian and Vegan versions available.
I love lentils!
They’re so crazy versatile and such a hearty vegetarian protein for everything from soups to stews to tacos to salads.
They’re the star of today’s scrumptious soup recipe and I cannot wait for ya’ll to try this one!
As written the recipe is gluten-free and grain-free and can be made either vegetarian or vegan depending on whether or not you want to add parmesan cheese on top. If you’re one of my omnivore friends you can totally use chicken broth if needed – though it’s equally amazing with vegetable broth as the base!
Toppings for Lentil Soup
Looking to add a little carbs in on the fun? This scrumptious soup can be served over fluffy white or brown rice if you’d like! I like mine with jasmine rice or basmati rice. (Seriously SO GOOD!)
Fresh herbs always add a little burst of color and flavor to hearty lentil soups. I’ve even added fresh diced tomatoes and absolutely adored it!
As for dairy options, a little freshly grated Parmesan Cheese or a dollop of sour cream always make an excellent topping for this soup. You could even try it with Greek yogurt!
The last time I made this hearty lentil soup I topped each bowl with a chunk of pumpkin cornbread and it was insanely amazing. The flavor combination was so good and it was basically like Fall in a bowl!
This deliciously flavorful lentil soup can be made vegan or vegetarian depending on whether or not you decided to add a little cheese on top. The soup is honestly AMAZING both ways!
Crock-Pot + Instant Pot Italian Lentil Soup
You’ll find cooking instructions for both slow cooker and electric pressure cooker methods below.
If you need a stove-top version of this healthy lentil soup let me know. I’m happy to test this recipe again and again if it means I get to spoon more of this lentil soup amazingness into my face!
I scarfed my first bowl of this luxe lentil soup straight up with some mini cornbread muffins on the side then added a some fluffy Instant Pot basmati rice and a sprinkling of parmesan cheese the next day.
SO GOOD!
Italian Lentil Soup
Ingredients
- 1 medium onion
- 3 carrots
- 1-2 celery ribs
- 3-4 cloves garlic
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- 1.5 cups dry green or brown lentils
- 14.5 oz canned diced tomatoes
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning blend
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ¼ tsp dried thyme
- ⅛ tsp dried or fresh rosemary (if using fresh, add extra to taste)
- 15 oz canned cannelini beans (drained and rinsed)
- 2 cups fresh chopped spinach
- optional fresh parsley to garnish
- optional freshly grated Parmesan cheese for topping
Instructions
INSTANT POT INSTRUCTIONS (6 QT or 8 QT)
- Peel and dice onion and carrots. Finely chop celery. Mince garlic.
- Add 6 cups broth to pressure cooker, followed by onion, carrot, celery, garlic, lentils, diced tomatoes (liquid included) and all herbs/spices.
- NOTE: Spinach and cannelini beans will be added at the very end after pressure cooking.
- Cover and seal Instant Pot lid. Set to MANUAL 15 minutes HIGH pressure.
- It should take approx 20-25 minutes to come to pressure, then 15 minutes active cook time. When the timer beeps, carefully quick release the pressure and allow the IP to depressurize. Safely remove the lid and add drained/rinsed cannelini beans and chopped fresh spinach to the hot soup. Mix and ladle soup into bowls. Top with all your favorite toppings and extras!
CROCK-POT SLOW COOKER INSTRUCTIONS
- Peel and dice onion and carrots. Finely chop celery. Mince garlic. Add all ingredients except for spinach and optional toppings to your slow cooker. Cook on HIGH for 5-6 hours or LOW for 7-8 hours, until dried lentils are cooked through and veggies are tender. Add your spinach and toppings and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
If you get a chance to try this Italian Lentil Soup recipe in the Crock-Pot or Instant Pot, let me know!
Leave some love in the comment form below or tag your photos with @peasandcrayons on Instagram so I can happy dance over your creation. I can’t wait to see what you whip up!
looking for more lentil recipes?
I’ve got you covered! This versatile legume is one of my favorites to cook with, especially when it comes to soup and tacos.
Totally check out this roundup of 7 Healthy Lentil Recipes when you get a chance. All the recipes are either vegan or vegetarian. I also want to try Girl Hearts Foods’ Lentil Quesadillas – such a fun combination of ingredients.
If you’re loving lentils right now you have GOOOOT to try my infamous Lentil Tacos! I also have a smoky chipotle version and a recipe for Instant Pot Lentil Tacos if you need it. They’re fantastic!
One of my most popular lentil recipes to date is this fiesta-worthy Vegetarian Lentil Tortilla Soup, which can be made stove top, in the Instant Pot, and in a slow cooker. Whichever method you choose, it’s sure to be a hit! The recipe has over 170 ★★★★★ rave reviews!
Easy! My first use of Instant Pot. A new favorite. I used more spinach and it was delicious.
Love this soup! Thank u! I hv had this on repeat weekly forever and finally remembered to review it!! I eat a cup for breakfast with one hard boiled or over easy egg & 1-2oz avacado! A Healthy satiating breakfast!
Breakfast of champions! I’m so happy to hear you’ve been enjoying the soup, Sue. Thank you!
I made this recipe for Italian Lentil Soup in my InstaPot this evening for tomorrow. It is absolutely delicious and by tomorrow it should taste even better after all the flavors continue to blend. I wasn’t sure my husband would like it. I asked him to try it and he really enjoyed it. I’m so pleased that it came out so delicious. Thank you for sharing.
So happy to hear it, Ginny! Thank you!!!
We start remodeling our kitchen tomorrow, so I’ve been making lots of food ahead so we have real food to eat during the process. This soup turned out so yummy! I love it. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Ahhh congrats on the remodel – so fun! I’m glad the soup was a hit and helpful in your meal prep! xo
I made this recipe couple of times. It is my favorite soup.
Hey there! Any chance you can tell me how to do this lentil soup recipe stove top?
Hi Kelsey! Yes of course! So you have something printable, follow the instructions for my lentil minestrone (minus the pasta and with the ingredients for this italian lentil soup) and you’re good to go!
This soup was awesome. It will be on my winter menu.
So glad you’re loving the soup, Shelley! Thank you!
Made this on the stovetop. Easy and delicious. A nice change from my regular lentil soup recipe, the flavors a little more complex.
Please try a stove top version
Will do! It should be very similar to the steps in my Lentil and Potato Soup so I’ll give it a whirl next time I pick up lentils! xo
Thanks Jenn! Easy, healthy, tasty and comforting – this was tonight’s Instant Pot dinner winner 🙂. Gotta love it when recipes come together so quickly & perfectly with what’s in the house!
Cheers
Perfect family meal!
So yummy! My daughter would not taste it at first but when she got started she couldn’t stop. She says it tastes best with sourdough!
This was really good, I had it with a spicy grilled chilled and it was perfection with this cold weather. Can’t wait to try more of your recipes, thank you!
had with a spicy grilled cheese**** oops!
That sounds like my dream combo! I’ve been meaning to make a grilled cheese sandwich out of this spicy habanero cheddar I have on hand and I think I’m going to follow suit and try this out!
So stoke the soup was a hit! xoxo
My husband still doesn’t know that there wasn’t any meat in this dish. This is a very hearty and satisfying dish. Perfect for cold, cold days!
I’ll keep your secret! Haha so glad y’all enjoyed the soup!
This was so good! Can’t wait to make it for family coming to visit on the holidays. It is a great vegan soup and perfect for those cold days when you’re craving a hearty lunch! Thanks for the recipe!
Thanks love! So glad you enjoyed the soup!