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  1. Food & Recipes
  2. Test Kitchen Recipes
  3. Lentil Soup with Kale

Lentil Soup with Kale

Cozy up with a bowl of hearty, wholesome soup.

By Tina MartinezPublished: Sep 10, 2025
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lentil soup with kale. soups and stews. dinnertime meals. vegetarian meals.
mike garten
Yields:
4 serving(s)
Total Time:
1 hr
Cal/Serv:
360

This hearty, make-ahead soup is comfort food with staying power—thanks to fiber-rich lentils, leafy kale, and a secret umami boost from marinara sauce and Parmesan rind. Whether you make it stovetop or in a multicooker, the result is a deeply flavored bowl perfect for chilly nights. Don’t skip the pesto ciabatta on the side—it’s the finishing touch.

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Ingredients

  • 2 Tbsp.

    olive oil 

  • 1

    medium onion, chopped

  • 2

    medium carrots, peeled and chopped

  • 2

    ribs celery, chopped 

  • Kosher salt and pepper

  • 4

    cloves garlic, finely chopped

  • 1 cup

    favorite marinara sauce 

  • 1 cup

    whole brown Spanish lentils, picked over

  • 1

    2-inch square Parmesan rind (or whatever you have), plus grated Parmesan for serving

  • 2

    bay leaves

  • 1 Tbsp.

    reduced-sodium vegetable bouillon base (we used Better Than Bouillon)

  • 1

    bunch lacinato kale (about 8 oz.), stemmed and chopped 

  • Toasted ciabatta rolls, for serving 

  • Pesto, for serving

Directions

    1. Step 1Heat oil in medium Dutch oven on medium. Add onion, carrots, celery, and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender,  6 to 8 minutes. Add garlic and cook uncovered, stirring often, until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Add marinara sauce and cook until thickened, 1 to 2 minutes.
    2. Step 2Add lentils and stir to coat. Add Parmesan rind, bay leaves, and 5 cups water, then whisk in bouillon base until incorporated and bring to a simmer. Cover and gently simmer, stirring occasionally, until lentils are tender, 45 to 55 minutes.
    3. Step 3Add kale and cook, stirring occasionally, until wilted, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat and discard Parmesan rind and bay leaves. Serve with grated Parmesan and toasted ciabatta spread with pesto if desired.
  • Multicooker Directions:

    1. Step 1Press Sauté on multicooker and heat oil. Add onion, carrots, celery, and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, 4 to 7 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring often, until fragrant, 1 minute. Add marinara sauce and cook until thickened, 1 to 2 minutes. Add lentils and stir to coat. Add Parmesan rind, bay leaves, and 5 cups water; whisk in bouillon base until incorporated. Cover, lock lid, and cook on high pressure 15 minutes. Use natural-release method for 10 minutes, then release any remaining pressure. Stir in kale, then cover and let sit until wilted, 3 minutes. Discard Parmesan rind and bay leaves. Serve with grated Parmesan and toasted ciabatta spread with pesto if desired.

RECIPE TIP: This soup freezes well, portioned in individual serving containers that are airtight.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION (per serving): About 360 calories, 9 g fat (2 g saturated), 4 mg cholesterol, 1,000 mg sodium, 54 g carbohydrates, 13 g fiber, 6.5 g sugar (0 g added sugar), 17 g protein


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