Nourishing Veggie Lentil Tortilla Soup

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there’s nothing cozier than a warm, hearty bowl of tortilla soup, and this nourishing veggie lentil tortilla soup is the perfect twist on a classic.

it’s loaded with wholesome lentils, colorful vegetables, creamy richness, and plenty of spices that make every bite satisfying and flavorful.

taste + texture

this soup is the ultimate comfort food. you get the hearty, earthy bite of tender brown lentils, the sweetness of fire-roasted corn and bell peppers, and the gentle heat from jalapeño and chili spices.

creamy goodness comes from a touch of cream and melty mexican cheese blended right into the base.

the texture is thick and chunky, yet silky enough to soak up with tortilla chips or warm bread.

why it’s good for you

lentils are little nutrition powerhouses packed with protein, fiber, iron, and minerals.

combined with vegetables like tomatoes, onions, peppers, and corn, you’re getting antioxidants, vitamins, and loads of plant-based goodness.

this soup is both filling and balanced, with a mix of complex carbs, protein, and healthy fats.

how to make it vegan

if you’d like to keep this soup fully plant-based, it’s so simple.

swap the cream for full-fat coconut milk or unsweetened dairy-free creamer, and replace the mexican cheese with your favorite vegan shredded cheese (or leave it out altogether).

the lentils already bring a ton of heartiness and protein, so it will still taste amazing.

substitution options

  • lentils → use green lentils or split red lentils (red will cook faster and give a slightly creamier consistency).
  • corn → sub with diced zucchini, carrots, or extra bell peppers.
  • spices → adjust the chili powder and jalapeño to your preferred heat level. add a pinch of cinnamon or cocoa powder for a deeper, more complex flavor.
  • cream → half-and-half, greek yogurt, or coconut cream all work well.

toppings galore

the fun part of tortilla soup is piling on the toppings!

try shredded mexican cheese, sour cream, greek yogurt, fresh jalapeño slices, diced avocado, cilantro, or crunchy tortilla strips.

everyone can customize their own bowl, which makes it perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings.

storage

store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

the soup will thicken as it sits, so you may want to stir in a splash of broth or water when reheating.

it also freezes beautifully — just let it cool completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers. thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat gently on the stove.

if you like Nourishing Veggie Lentil Tortilla Soup, you’ll also love these other recipes of mine!

Healthy Herby White Bean and Olive Salad Dip (Perfect With Chips!)

High Protein Low Carb Cottage Cheese Breadsticks (Easy Blender Recipe!)

Homemade Whole Wheat Pita With Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

Veggie-Packed Protein Snacking Biscuits

Healthy and Delicious Sweet Potato Nacho Salad

Spicy & Creamy Chickpea Buffalo Salad Stuffed Cucumbers (Plant-Based!)

Cheesy Everything But the Bagel Quinoa Flourless “Breadsticks”

Meal Prep Healthy Seed Bread (Plant-Based + Gluten-Free)High Protein Plant-Based Snacking Salad

Summer Girl Salsa

Delicious and Nutrient-Rich: Antioxidant-Packed Hummus

Plant-Based Protein Chickpea Salad Wraps (Dairy-Free & Delicious!)

are you going to make my Nourishing Veggie Lentil Tortilla Soup?!

if you make one of my recipes, i would LOVE to see your creation! be sure to leave a review in the comments section, it is so appreciated and helps my small business. 

also, you can follow upbeetandkaleingit on InstagramPinterest, and Facebook for more vegan recipes!

do you want to save this recipe for later!? you can add the recipe to your recipe board on Pinterest!

it brings me so much happiness to see your beautiful recreations on Instagram :). tag me so that i can see and repost your food on my stories!

Nourishing Veggie Lentil Tortilla Soup

Recipe by MaryCourse: Main Dishes, Protein
Servings

5

servings
Prep time

20

minutes
Cooking time

42

minutes
Calories

300

kcal

MACROS PER SERVING (5) without toppings
calories: 345
carbs: 44 g
protein: 15 g
fat: 13 g

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp avocado oil or olive oil
    1 medium red onion, diced
    4 cloves garlic, minced
    1 red bell pepper, diced
    1 jalapeño, finely diced (remove seeds for less heat)
    1 1/2 cups dried brown lentils, rinsed
    18.3 oz can organic diced tomatoes (with juices)
    2 tbsp tomato paste
    1 cup fire roasted corn (frozen or canned, drained)
    6 cups vegetable broth
    1/2 cup cream (heavy cream or half-and-half; can sub coconut cream for dairy-free)
    1/2 cup shredded mexican cheese blend
    2 tsp ground cumin
    1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
    1 tsp chili powder
    1 tsp dried oregano
    1 tsp sea salt (adjust to taste)
    black pepper, to taste
    juice of 1 lime
    fresh cilantro, chopped (optional, for garnish)

  • toppings:
    tortilla chips of choice, sour cream or greek yogurt, salsa, jalalpenos, mexican cheese blend, cilantro

Directions

  • sauté veggies
    heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. add onion, garlic, red bell pepper, and jalapeño. cook for 5–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and fragrant.
  • toast spices & lentils
    stir in the lentils, cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, oregano, salt, and black pepper. cook for 1–2 minutes to let the spices bloom.
  • add liquids & simmer
    add diced tomatoes with their juices, tomato paste, corn, and vegetable broth. stir to combine. bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. cover and cook for 30–35 minutes, until the lentils are tender. stir occasionally and add more broth if needed.
  • finish the soup
    once lentils are cooked, stir in the cream, lime juice, and shredded mexican cheese until melted and creamy. taste and adjust seasonings.
  • serve
    ladle into bowls and garnish with cilantro if you’d like. you can add toppings (extra cheese, tortilla strips, avocado, sour cream, jalapeños) at the table.

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hi, i'm mary!

I create healthy recipes using real foods that will nourish both your body and soul.

Here, you’ll find everything from scrumptious desserts to savory and nourishing comfort food. Thank you for being here and I hope you enjoy my delicious creations

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