Macaroni Grills Lentil Soup Recipe 455

Steps:

• Heat oil over medium heat. Add carrots, onion, and garlic and cook 10 minutes or until tender. Add tomatoes, broth, lentils, salt, pepper, thyme, and 6 c water.
• Heat to boiling, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer 20 minutes or until lentils are almost tender.
• Stir in chard and macaroni, heat to boiling over med-high heat. Reduce to medium and cook uncovered 10 minutes or until pasta is tender. Stir in basil.

Steps:

• In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium-high. Add the onion and garlic, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Add 5 cups of water, the lentils, the thyme and bay leaves (if using). Partially cover, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, partially covered, until the lentils are al dente, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Add the tomatoes and 1 teaspoon salt, and bring to a boil over high. Add the pasta and cook, stirring often to keep the pasta from sticking to the pot, until the pasta is al dente, 10 to 20 minutes. (It may take longer than the cook time on the package.) If the pot starts to look dry at any point, add more water, 1/4 cup at a time.
• Turn off the heat, discard the thyme and bay leaves, then stir in the Parmesan. Cover and let sit for 3 minutes so the flavors meld and the sauce thickens. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Eat with more Parmesan and a drizzle of olive oil.