This creamy and thick Vegan Lentil Cheese Soup is flavored brilliantly with vegan Parmesan cheese and is a perfect on the go meal on busy days. It can be made ahead of time in a big batch for later use.
If you have read my posts lately, you may have noticed that I have been trying a variety of vegan cheeses. The reason being is I just love cheese but for some time my taste buds has been a little fussy.
So I have been totally off cheese. However, with lot of patience and my desire to start eating cheese again I found a few delicious cheeses that perfectly suit my taste buds.
I am totally into cheese again. Now, my mind is once again churning some delicious recipes with vegan cheese. I always thought vegan cheese had not flavor or texture, but now after my serious research I am back to loving cheese again.
While browsing through the grocery aisle I came across this wonderful vegan Parmesan cheese in powdered form from go veggie (I do not have any affiliation with them, it’s just my recommendation).
I immediately bought it and tried in a couple of recipes. This cheese tasted wonderful, hence I came up with Vegan Lentil Cheese Soup.
It’s been a while since I added cheese in my soup. For that matter, I used nutritional yeast for the first time. It simply enhances the flavor and taste of the soup. Nutritional yeast also provided a perfect creamy base for this wholesome soup.
Going a little overboard, I experimented with cashew milk as well. Definitely, I preferred this soup with lightened and unsweetened coconut milk. However, feel free to try it with cashew milk if you have it handy in your kitchen.
Ingredients for Vegan Lentil Cheese Soup
If you are aiming to increase protein in your diet I encourage you to try this soup. It’s a definite winner.
Even though it takes a little more time for the lentils to soften but it’s totally worth. Just pair your soup with whole grain bread for a complete meal.
You may also like:
Instant Pot Pasta Fagioli Soup
Did you make it?
If you get a chance to make this recipe then please leave your feedback in the comments below along with the ratings. In addition, you may tag @kiipfit on Instagram because we would love to see what you cooked.
Vegan Lentil Cheese Soup
Ingredients
- 1 tsp olive oil
- Pinch of dried garlic
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1/2 cup chopped carrots
- 3/4 cup green lentils (rinsed)
- 4 fresh thyme sprigs
- 5 cups vegetable broth
- 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut milk
- Salt as per taste
- 1 tbsp vegan Parmesan cheese (powdered form)
- 1 tsp crushed chili flakes
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in sauce pan and add garlic.
- As soon as garlic starts browning, add chopped onions and saute until golden in color.
- Add chopped carrots and saute for 30 seconds.
- Fold in lentil and thyme sprigs. Saute for 30 seconds.
- Add vegetable broth. Cover and cook on a medium – high flame until lentils are soft. (Takes about 30 minutes).
- When lentils are soft reduce the flame to low and add nutritional yeast. Stir well.
- Add coconut milk and stir again. Turn off the flame and stir in salt, cheese and crushed chili flakes. Let it settle for a minute and serve warm.
Notes
- Fresh minced/chopped garlic can also be used.
- I tried this soup with cashew milk as well. Tasted good but on a sweeter side. So if you like your lentil soup to be a slight sweet you may use cashew milk instead of coconut milk and let it settle for a minute before consuming. Cashew milk when mixed immediately in the soup taste sour but comes back to its original flavor in couple of minutes.
- I prefer this soup with unsweetened coconut milk.
- I used powdered style vegan Parmesan cheese from go veggie.
- For Instant Pot - Turn it on at saute mode and follow until step 5. Then, close the lid and seal the valve. Pressure cook at high for 10 minutes or at chili/beans mode (default setting). Once done, release the pressure and open the lid. Stir in coconut milk. Season it with, vegan Parmesan cheese and crushed chili flakes.
- For oil free option - skip the oil and combine all the ingredients (except cheese) in the saucepan or instant pot. Cook until lentils are soft or if using instant pot pressure cook as mentioned above. Once done, adjust the seasoning as per taste and garnish with vegan Parmesan cheese.
Nutrition
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
Lentils are perfect in soup and love the use of coconut milk. I must try using cashew milk sometime as we love a bit of sweetness in the recipe.
Kylee from Kylee Cooks says
Lentils are the perfect food! I love to use them in soups, too. Adding vegan cheese is genius!
Julie | Bunsen Burner Bakery says
Vegan cheese always has a strange texture to me, but using it in soup like this is a great way around the texture. Your soup sounds delicious!
Natalie | Natalie's Food & Health says
As soon as I landed on your blog I knew it I’m going to like this recipe. I LOVE lentil and cheese is my favorite sin 😉 This soup looks really delicious. It’s so healthy and nutritious. Absolutely must try! Pinning this!
Molly Kumar says
These Vegan Soup bowls sounds perfect for a simple yet flavorful meal. I can so see myself eating them with a toasted garlic bread 🙂
Dene' V. Alexander says
I have never cooked with lentils before, but this looks like a good starting place!
Christine McMichael says
Lentils are my fave! Love that this recipe is vegan. Perfect for a delicious weeknight dinner!
swathi says
I make curries with lentils never tried cheese and lentil combination, your lentil cheese soup looks perfect for a rainy day meal.
Megan Marlowe says
Mmm.. does thsi soup ever look hearty?! I love the addition of nutritional yeast and coconut milk! Can’t wait to try this on a rainy Spring day!
ManilaSpoon says
I have often made lentil soup but never tried it with cheese, vegan or otherwise, so now I am totally intrigued as it sounds so delicious!!
Amy says
Lentils are such a great food. I love how filling and healthy they are while also adapting to other flavors. I’m sure your cheesy version is great!
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy says
Lentils are so healthy. They work well in all kinds of dishes. This soup sounds delicious and perfect for the rainy weekend we are having. Great leftovers too.
Adriana Lopez Martn says
Lentils are such a great ingredient to use in many applications. Your soup just looks perfect and comforting. Wish I had a bowl now =)
Gunjan says
I hope you enjoy it Adriana.
Veena Azmanov says
I’ve never added cheese to my lentil soup.. Love the twist.. I’m a big fan of lentils and this sounds delicious.
Gunjan says
Thank you Veena.
Stephanie@ApplesforCJ says
I cook with lentils quite often. They’re actually something I’m never without. I think I need to try this with the cashew milk!
candy says
Lentils and cheese sounds so good paired together. Always love to find a new soup to enjoy.
Gunjan says
Thank you Candy.