Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup dried lentils, rinsed
  • 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 cups spinach, chopped

Instructions:

  1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery, and cook for 5-7 minutes until softened.
  2. Stir in garlic, cumin, and thyme and cook for 1 more minute.
  3. Add lentils, chicken broth, and chicken to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer for 25-30 minutes until lentils are tender.
  4. Stir in spinach and cook for an additional 3 minutes until wilted. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.

Nutritional Info (per serving):

  • Protein: 22g
  • Fiber: 15g
  • Calories: 300

2. Spicy Black Bean and Quinoa Soup

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup corn kernels (frozen or fresh)
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • Fresh cilantro, for garnish

Instructions:

  1. In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, cooking until softened (5 minutes).
  2. Stir in cumin, chili powder, and black beans. Cook for 1-2 minutes, allowing the spices to toast.
  3. Add quinoa, tomatoes, vegetable broth, and corn. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 20-25 minutes, or until quinoa is cooked and tender.
  4. Stir in lime juice and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
  5. Serve with fresh cilantro and a wedge of lime.

Nutritional Info (per serving):

  • Protein: 15g
  • Fiber: 18g
  • Calories: 280

3. Turkey, Sweet Potato, and Kale Soup

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground turkey
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 cups kale, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

  1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add ground turkey and cook, breaking it up with a spoon until browned (about 5-7 minutes).
  2. Add onion and garlic and sautรฉ until softened, about 5 minutes.
  3. Stir in sweet potatoes, chicken broth, and oregano. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes, until the sweet potatoes are tender.
  4. Add kale and cook for another 5 minutes until the kale is wilted. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs.

Nutritional Info (per serving):

  • Protein: 30g
  • Fiber: 10g
  • Calories: 320

4. White Bean and Spinach Soup

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (15 oz) white beans, drained and rinsed
  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • 2 cups spinach, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

  1. Heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook until softened (5 minutes).
  2. Stir in white beans, vegetable broth, rosemary, and red pepper flakes. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
  3. Add spinach and cook until wilted, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
  4. Serve with a drizzle of olive oil and freshly ground black pepper.

Nutritional Info (per serving):

  • Protein: 10g
  • Fiber: 14g
  • Calories: 210

5. Beef and Vegetable Soup

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, sliced
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 2 potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 4 cups beef broth (low-sodium)
  • 1 teaspoon thyme
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup green beans, chopped

Instructions:

  1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until browned (5-7 minutes).
  2. Add onion, carrots, celery, and potatoes, and sautรฉ for 5 minutes.
  3. Stir in beef broth, thyme, and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 25-30 minutes until vegetables are tender.
  4. Add green beans and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
  5. Serve hot, topped with fresh herbs if desired.

Nutritional Info (per serving):

  • Protein: 28g
  • Fiber: 8g
  • Calories: 350

6. Split Pea and Ham Soup

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 pound ham steak, diced
  • 2 cups dried split peas, rinsed
  • 4 cups low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth
  • 2 carrots, chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

  1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook until softened (5 minutes).
  2. Stir in ham and cook for another 5 minutes.
  3. Add split peas, broth, carrots, celery, thyme, and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 45-50 minutes until peas are tender.
  4. Use a hand blender to purรฉe some of the soup for a creamier texture (optional).
  5. Serve hot with a sprinkle of fresh herbs.

Nutritional Info (per serving):

  • Protein: 20g
  • Fiber: 16g
  • Calories: 350