Name: A Nutritious Delight! Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: International
Ingredients: 4 cups (1 liter); 2 cups (fresh or frozen); 1 cup, rinsed; 1 cup, drained and rinsed; 2 cups, chopped; 3 cloves, minced; 1 medium, diced; 2 tablespoons; 1 teaspoon; 1 teaspoon; to taste; to taste; 1 tablespoon (optional)

Who says nutritious meals can’t also be comforting and bursting with vibrant flavor? This high protein vegetable soup truly lives up to its name: A Nutritious Delight! Brimming with lentils, chickpeas, fresh vegetables, and a balanced blend of herbs, this vegan soup is as wholesome as it is inviting. It’s the kind of meal you’ll want to revisit any time you’re craving something hearty without feeling weighed down—a colorful, protein-packed bowl that will nourish you from the inside out.

A Nutritious Delight! Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering your ingredients for this soup is refreshingly simple, yet each element adds its own personality—whether it’s the protein punch of lentils, the fresh green of spinach, or the comforting warmth of onion and garlic. Together, these basics elevate your bowl into so much more than the sum of its parts.

Vegetable broth: The flavorful foundation, making every sip taste homey and deeply satisfying.
Mixed vegetables: Grab your favorites (fresh or frozen) to add crunch, color, and loads of vitamins—think carrots, peas, green beans, or bell peppers.
Lentils: A star source of plant-based protein, giving the soup its satisfying heartiness and a silky texture as they simmer.
Chickpeas: These little gems bring a delightful, creamy bite and even more protein to make this truly A Nutritious Delight!
Fresh spinach: Stirred in just at the end, spinach wilts beautifully and infuses the soup with a gorgeous green and extra nourishment.
Garlic: The key to irresistible aroma—don’t skip, and feel free to add an extra clove if you’re a garlic lover!
Onion: Provides a sweet, savory background note for all the other flavors to pop.
Olive oil: Gets everything started with richness and a luscious mouthfeel.
Dried thyme: This herb offers a subtle earthiness that works wonders with vegetables and legumes.
Dried oregano: Adds herby warmth, echoing Mediterranean flavors and boosting the freshness.
Salt: Essential for enhancing and balancing flavors—taste and adjust as you go.
Black pepper: A sprinkle wakes up everything in the pot and rounds out the seasoning beautifully.
Lemon juice (optional): Just a dash at the end brightens the bowl and makes all the flavors sing.

How to Make A Nutritious Delight!

Step 1: Prep Your Vegetables

Start by giving your fresh vegetables a good wash and chop. Don’t worry if your cuts aren’t perfect—what matters most is getting a mix of bite-sized pieces so every spoonful is full of variety. If you’re using frozen veggies, have them measured out and ready to go. This bit of prep makes the cooking process speedy and smooth, setting you up for a stress-free kitchen experience.

Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics

Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat, then toss in the diced onion and minced garlic. This is where your kitchen starts to smell magical! Stir and let the mixture sizzle for 3–4 minutes until the onion turns soft and glossy. The base of any truly great soup begins here, infusing everything with irresistible flavor.

Step 3: Toast the Lentils

Next, stir the rinsed lentils into your aromatic base. Cook them for about 2 minutes, letting them soak up the flavors in the pot. This tiny step works wonders for depth of flavor and sets your soup up to be both hearty and texturally satisfying—classic hallmarks of A Nutritious Delight!

Step 4: Simmer with Broth

Pour in the vegetable broth with a gentle flourish. Increase the heat to bring it all to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for around 15 minutes. This gives your lentils a head start to get perfectly tender while their nutty essence infuses the soup. You’ll start to see those gorgeous rich colors come alive!

Step 5: Add Veggies and Chickpeas

Now it’s time to add the mixed vegetables and chickpeas. Let everything mingle for another 10–15 minutes, giving the veggies a chance to soften and the chickpeas to warm through. Your kitchen will be filled with the kind of savory, comforting aroma that’s every bit as inviting as grandma’s best stew—another reminder that this is truly A Nutritious Delight!

Step 6: Finish with Greens and Herbs

Stir in the fresh chopped spinach, dried thyme, and oregano. Let it all simmer for a final 5 minutes. This is where the soup becomes positively vibrant, as the greens wilt and the herbs lend their fragrance and depth. Almost there—just a taste test and some final seasoning with salt, pepper, and maybe that splash of lemon juice to tie everything together. Ladle up and get ready to enjoy!

How to Serve A Nutritious Delight!

Garnishes

Elevate each bowl with a sprinkle of freshly cracked black pepper, a squeeze of fresh lemon, or a dusting of chopped fresh herbs like parsley or dill. For a little crunch, top with toasted pumpkin seeds or a handful of microgreens. These finishing touches add extra bursts of flavor and transform your soup into a showstopping centerpiece of any table.

Side Dishes

Pair your soup with a slice of crusty whole-grain bread for dipping, or crisp crackers if you love a bit of texture on the side. Garlic toast or a simple green salad is also a winning choice, rounding out your meal and making it an all-around A Nutritious Delight!

Creative Ways to Present

Serve your soup in wide, shallow bowls to showcase all those gorgeous veggies and legumes. Try topping with a swirl of coconut milk for a creamy look, or serve in a rustic mug for a cozy, comforting touch. If you’re entertaining, ladle into mini cups for a fun appetizer at your next gathering—guaranteed to spark conversation about its wholesome flavors!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Let any leftover soup cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge. It’ll stay fresh and delicious for up to 4 days, making it the perfect prep-ahead option for busy weeks. The flavors deepen overnight, so tomorrow’s bowl is just as A Nutritious Delight! as today’s, if not even more irresistible.

Freezing

This soup freezes like a dream! Portion it into single-serve containers (leaving a little space at the top for expansion), then freeze for up to 3 months. When you need a quick, nourishing meal, just pull a portion out—A Nutritious Delight! is always just minutes away.

Reheating

To reheat, simply warm your soup over medium heat on the stovetop, stirring gently until hot throughout. You can also microwave individual servings for 2–3 minutes, stirring halfway. If the soup has thickened, add a splash of broth or water to get it back to that perfect, spoonable consistency.

FAQs

Can I use canned lentils or chickpeas?

Absolutely! If you’re short on time, canned lentils and chickpeas work beautifully. Just remember to rinse and drain well before adding them, and cut the simmering time slightly since they’re already cooked.

What vegetables work best for A Nutritious Delight!?

The beauty of this recipe is its flexibility. Carrots, celery, zucchini, green beans, or peas all shine, so use whatever you love or have on hand. Frozen mixed vegetables are your friend for convenience, too!

Is this soup good for meal prep?

Definitely! This high-protein soup is a meal prep superstar. Portion it into containers for ready-to-go lunches or easy dinners—it reheats wonderfully and actually gets tastier as the flavors meld.

How can I make it spicy?

Spice lovers, rejoice! Add a pinch of chili flakes, a chopped jalapeño, or a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce while simmering. This will turn your bowl into a warming, zesty version of A Nutritious Delight!

Can I blend the soup for a creamier texture?

Absolutely. For a creamy finish, blend a portion (or all) of the soup with an immersion blender, or stir in a touch of coconut milk at the end. Either way, you’re still treating yourself to A Nutritious Delight!

Final Thoughts

Bringing a bowl of A Nutritious Delight! to your table is such a satisfying way to fuel your body and soul. Each spoonful is vibrant, comforting, and packed with plant-based protein. If you’re searching for a stunningly wholesome soup that energizes as much as it soothes, you absolutely must give this recipe a try—you’ll want to make it again and again!