I challenge you there isn’t a soup as easier than this Instant Pot Italian Lentil Soup. Dump-and-go style with diced veggies, brown lentils, and Italian seasoning - it’s ready in 30 minutes from start to end. Expect a heart, flavorful, comforting bowl that will become your new favorite.
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This Italian Lentil Soup has been one of our super hit soup recipes from the blog. No matter how many times I make and share it, neither does my family get bored of it, nor do you guys. It’s a game-changer tender lentils, fresh tomatoes, zucchini, carrots, onions, celery and Italian herbs in a cozy broth that’s perfect for those cozy vibes or busy weeknights.
- Ingredients to make Lentil Soup
- How to make Italian Lentil Soup in Instant Pot
- Anvita’s Top Tips
- Common Mistakes to Avoid
- How to Serve
- Italian Lentil Soup
Ingredients to make Lentil Soup
See recipe card for quantities.
- Lentils : Please rinse the lentils thoroughly before using to reduce any foaming. To get the perfect texture of the lentils, tender yet not mushy, follow the time and quick release to the T.
- Vegetables : You will need onions, carrots, celery stalks, zucchini & tomatoes.
- Seasonings : Nothing fancy, just a good old Italian seasoning & salt.
- Broth : Choose a good quality low sodium vegetable broth for this recipe. I have even added water instead of broth when I didn’t have any broth handy. The taste does differ slightly but the soup still tastes good. Adding the broth will change the color. Sometimes I also add marinara sauce & water for a change.
- Garnish : Fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley and some lemon juice. You could even throw in some greens like spinach or kale if you’d like.
How to make Italian Lentil Soup in Instant Pot
- Rinse lentils well and set aside. Dice all veggies into similar sizes for even cooking.
- Toss all ingredients in the Instant Pot, except for the garnish
- Pressure Cook the Soup on ‘High’ for 15 mins.
- Quick Release Pressure when the timer goes off.
- Garnish with lemon juice and your choice of herb.
- Serve warm with crusty slice of Ciabatta bread.
Anvita’s Top Tips
- Always rinse lentils thoroughly to remove debris and reduce foam during cooking.
- Dice veggies uniformly so everything softens at the same rate - no mushy surprises.
- Quick release keeps lentils firm; natural release makes them softer for a stew-like texture.
- If I have left overs, I add some boiled pasta to it for lunch the next day and the kiddo absolutely loves it.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake | Result | How I Fix It |
|---|---|---|
| Skipping lentil rinse | Gritty texture or foam buildup | I always rinse under cold water until clear. |
| Uneven veggie dice | Some raw, some overcooked | Chop everything bite-sized and uniform. |
| Too much salt upfront | Over-salted soup | Season lightly at start, adjust after cooking. |
| Overcrowding without sauté | Flat flavor | Quick sauté builds depth without extra time. |
| No acid at end | Dull, flat taste | Lemon juice brightens everything - don’t skip! |
How to Serve
- Pair with crusty garlic bread, grilled cheese, or a simple green salad for a full meal.
- Top with parmesan (for non-vegans), extra herbs, chili flakes, or a drizzle of olive oil.
- Great as meal prep, stores 4 - 5 days in fridge or freezes well
More Soups to try
- Weeknight Onepot Sambar in 30 minutes
- Andhra Style Peanut Chutney | 3 flavors
- Fail-Proof Instant Rava Dosa (Crispy & Lacy)
- Soft Spongy Idlis using Idli Rava
Ingredients
- 1 onion diced
- 1 carrot diced
- 2 tomatoes diced
- 2 celery stalks diced
- 1 zucchini diced
- 1 teaspoon garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon tomato sauce
- 3 cups low sodium vegetable broth
- 1 cup dried green lentils rinsed
- 1 tablespoon Italian herb mix
- salt to taste
- Garnishing
- 1 tablespoon cilantro / parsley for garnish
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Instructions
Instant Pot Instructions
- Toss all ingredients in the Instant Pot, except for the garnish
- Pressure Cook the Soup on ‘High’ for 15 mins.
- Quick Release Pressure when the timer goes off.
- Garnish with lemon juice and your choice of herb.
- Serve it warm.
Stove Top Instructions
- Toss all ingredients in a large pot, except for the garnish
- Bring to boil and then reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer for 40 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Garnish with lemon juice and your choice of herb.
- Serve it warm
Video
Nutrition
Ingredients
- 1 onion diced
- 1 carrot diced
- 2 tomatoes diced
- 2 celery stalks diced
- 1 zucchini diced
- 1 teaspoon garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon tomato sauce
- 3 cups low sodium vegetable broth
- 1 cup dried green lentils rinsed
- 1 tablespoon Italian herb mix
- salt to taste
- Garnishing
- 1 tablespoon cilantro / parsley for garnish
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Instructions
Instant Pot Instructions
- Toss all ingredients in the Instant Pot, except for the garnish
- Pressure Cook the Soup on ‘High’ for 15 mins.
- Quick Release Pressure when the timer goes off.
- Garnish with lemon juice and your choice of herb.
- Serve it warm.
Stove Top Instructions
- Toss all ingredients in a large pot, except for the garnish
- Bring to boil and then reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer for 40 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Garnish with lemon juice and your choice of herb.
- Serve it warm
