Name: Italian Lentil Soup
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 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

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

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.

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.

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.

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:

Bread: Try your hand at our Easy No Knead Bread, Artisan Bread, Dutch Oven Bread, or famous Sourdough Bread Recipe.
Cornbread: It’s not Italian, but this Easy Cornbread is extra special!
Salad: Some salads that fit the vibe: Easy Arugula Salad, Favorite Chopped Salad, Best Tossed Salad or Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad.

This Italian lentil soup recipe is…

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