Lentil Soup For One
Enjoy a hearty, single serving lentil soup with bacon, tender vegetables, and green lentils. Ready in 30 minutes, it’s a quick and satisfying meal.
Servings: 1 serving
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 slice bacon -cut into ½-inch pieces
- ¼ cup chopped onions
- 1 small carrot -chopped
- 1 celery rib -chopped
- 1 clove garlic -minced
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ¼ cup dry green lentils *
- ½ cup canned diced tomatoes -with some of the juices.
- 1 ¼ cup low-sodium chicken broth *
- shredded Parmesan cheese (optional for topping)
Instructions
- In a 2-quart saucepan, cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cooked bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving the bacon drippings in the pan.
- Add the chopped onions, carrots, celery, garlic, salt, and red pepper flakes to the pan. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 2 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.
- Add the lentils and stir continuously for about 30 seconds.
- Pour in the diced tomatoes and broth. Bring the soup to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook for 18-20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the lentils from sticking, until the lentils are tender.
- Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with additional salt if needed. Stir in the cooked, crumbled bacon. For extra flavor, sprinkle shredded Parmesan cheese on top before serving, if desired.
Notes
Recipe Notes *
- Lentils: My preference is to use green lentils because they hold their shape well while cooking and provide a hearty texture. Brown lentils also work well, though they may cook slightly faster. Red lentils will cook quicker but can become mushy.
- Low sodium chicken broth: I use low sodium chicken broth so I can better control the salt level in the soup. If you’re using regular broth, you may want to reduce the amount of added salt to avoid over-seasoning. Vegetable broth is also a suitable option
- Rinse the Lentils: Before adding the lentils to the soup, rinse them under cold water to remove any dust or debris. This simple step ensures clean, fresh flavors.
- Adjust the Consistency: If the soup thickens more than you'd like, add a little extra broth or water to reach your preferred consistency.
- Season to Taste: Taste the soup just before serving and adjust the salt if needed to perfectly suit your preference.
- Stir Frequently: Give the soup a stir now and then as it simmers to prevent the lentils from sticking to the bottom of the pot. This helps everything cook evenly.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 223kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 898mg | Potassium: 948mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 8521IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 84mg | Iron: 2mg
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