057 / 100 · Warm Lunches

Carrot-and-Lentil Soup

Name: Carrot-and-Lentil Soup
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4 lunch bowls
Ingredients: 1 tbsp olive oil; 1 cup carrot cut into 1/4-inch dice; 1 1/2 cups drained canned brown lentils; 1 cup canned crushed tomatoes; 2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth; 1/2 tsp ground cumin; 1/4 tsp salt; Up to 1/2 cup water, only if needed

Suggested ages 9–12 Cook with help: an adult handles heat and sharp tools

4 lunch bowlsActive 15 minTotal 35 min

Small carrot pieces soften quickly in this chunky soup. Ready-cooked lentils make the recipe manageable on a school day. Nothing needs blending: the young cook can see how vegetables change as they simmer.

Start with the grown-up check

Close overhead view of carrot cubes and brown lentils in tomato soup, with the bowl rim partly cropped. — AI-generated gouache-style food illustration. Follow the written ingredients and method.

Before you begin · grown-up check

The adult chops carrots, opens lentils and tomatoes, runs the stove and portions the hot soup.

A grown-up checks ingredient labels, the workspace and the young cook’s readiness before starting.
Adult washes and dices carrots, opens lentils and tomatoes, and rinses lentils.

Ages are a starting guide. A grown-up checks your readiness and stays nearby. Follow the actor label on every step.

Let’s make it

Tick off steps as you go. Your ticks stay in this browser.

TogetherWash hands with soap and water, clear the work area and read all the steps before measuring.
Young cookMeasure lentils, tomatoes, broth, cumin and salt away from the stove.
Grown-upHeat oil over medium heat. Stir carrots for 3 minutes, then add all measured ingredients.
Grown-upCover loosely and simmer 18–22 minutes, stirring occasionally, until carrot pieces squash easily with a fork. If it thickens before the carrot softens, add the extra water 1 tbsp at a time, up to 1/2 cup.
Grown-upLadle into bowls and cool a little before serving; check the temperature of both soup and carrot pieces.

The skill you’re learning

Small, even pieces cook more evenly than a mix of big chunks and tiny bits. The adult demonstrates the soft-carrot fork check.

Try one change

Use 1 1/2 cups drained canned white beans instead of lentils.

Serving & storing

A grown-up puts leftovers in a covered shallow container at 40°F or colder within 2 hours, or 1 hour above 90°F. Use within 2 days. A grown-up reheats only the portion needed to 165°F.

Cook with a grown-up

Read the young-cook and grown-up guide for help labels, clean preparation and ingredient checks.

Keep your recipe card

The card includes the exact ingredients, grown-up setup and actor-labeled steps.

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Printable ingredients, age and actor-labeled steps for Carrot-and-Lentil Soup