Lentil-Veggie Soup (Crock Pot)

Vino Girl's Note:

This soup is easy to put together with basic food items that most of us have around. I found the recipe in Better Homes and Gardens Biggest Book of Slow Cooker Recipes, and I did some adjustments with the vegetables and herbs used. I was surprised at how good this very simple soup turned out.

• Total Time: 12 hrs 15 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 12 hrs

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• 1 cup dry lentils
• 1 ½ cups carrots , chopped
• 1 ½ cups celery , chopped
• 1 ½ cups onions , chopped
• 3 garlic cloves , minced
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley
• 2 bay leaves
• 3 ½ cups vegetable broth (2 cans)
• 1 ½ cups water
• 1 (14 ½ ounce) can diced tomatoes
• fresh ground black pepper , to taste

Directions:

1. Rinse lentils.
2. Place all ingredients except the pepper into a 4-6 quart slow cooker.
3. Cover and cook on low for at least 12 hours, or high for at least 5 hours.
4. Season with pepper and remove the bay leaves before serving.

Reviews

[Soozaler]

Maybe I'm not being fair giving this 3 stars. I guess it depends on what you want. This soup tasted *exactly* like Progresso Minestrone Soup, but with lentils. So it was more of an italian flavored vegetable soup with lentils, rather than a lentil soup with vegetables. If you want a tomatoey vegetable soup, this will fit the bill, but if you are looking for a traditional lentil soup, you will be disappointed.

[Chicago Clare]

We really enjoyed this healthy soup! I added some zucchini and even some cauliflour left over from a veggie tray. Added just a pinch of red pepper flakes and a pinch of kosher salt too based on ideas from other reviewers. My crock pot runs really hot, so on low 6 hours was just right. Gotta know your crock pot. Perfect on a cool day with some whole grain bread from the bakery.

[Autsayder]

An easy, comforting soup on a cool, fall day! It made my house smell so wonderful and tasted just as good. My family said it was a little bland, but I thought it was fine the way it was. Thanks so much for sharing!