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This Italian beef and lentil soup has become one of my all-time favorite slow cooker recipes. It’s hearty, healthy, and so easy to make—truly a dump-and-stir, one-pot meal with no precooking required.

The first time I heard about this soup was at a Weight Watchers meeting, when several people couldn’t stop raving about it. I figured it was worth trying, and I’ve been hooked ever since. Rod, Mom, and I all love it so much that it’s now a regular in my soup rotation.

With lean beef, lentils, and plenty of vegetables, this WW friendly soup is filling, full of flavor, and perfect for a light but satisfying meal any time of year.

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Italian Beef and Lentil Slow Cooker Stew in a white bowl topped with fresh basil.
WW Italian Beef and Lentil Slow Cooker Stew

Why You’ll Love This Italian Beef and Lentil Soup

  • WW friendly and filling – with lean beef, lentils, and plenty of veggies, this slow cooker soup is hearty enough for a meal while staying low in points.
  • No precooking required – this is a true dump-and-stir crock pot recipe. Just add the ingredients, set it, and let the slow cooker do the work.
  • Nutritious and budget-friendly – lentils add fiber and protein while keeping the recipe affordable and satisfying.
  • Family approved – Rod, Mom, and I all love this recipe, and it’s one I make again and again for easy weeknight dinners.
  • Perfect for meal prep – this soup makes a generous batch, reheats beautifully, and freezes well for quick future meals.

Ingredients

  • Beef round, cut into chunks – lean, flavorful pieces that hold up well in the slow cooker.
  • Lentils – brown or green lentils for hearty texture and protein.
  • Canned diced tomatoes (with juices) – add body and gentle acidity to the broth.
  • Beef broth – rich base for the soup (vegetable broth (affiliate link) works if you prefer it lighter).
  • Zucchini – stirred in near the end so it stays tender-crisp; green beans are a good swap.
  • Italian seasoning – the core dried herb blend that gives the soup its Italian flavor.
  • Fresh basil (at the end) – stirred in off the heat for bright, fresh finish.
  • Salt and black pepper – to taste.
Italian Beef and Lentil Stew in a white soup bowl topped with chopped basil.
WW Friendly Italian Beef and Lentil Stew

How Many Calories and WW Points in this Italian Beef and Lentil Slow Cooker Soup?

According to my calculations, each serving has just 233 calories.

To see your WW Points for this recipe, track it in the WW App!
(You must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.)

5 PointsPlus (Old plan)

dry brown lentils in a shallow wooden bowl

Instructions (Dump-and-Stir Slow Cooker Method)

  1. Load the slow cooker. Add beef round, lentils, diced tomatoes with their juices, beef broth, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to the slow cooker; stir to combine.
  2. Cook until tender. Cover and cook until the beef is cooked through and the lentils are tender.
  3. Add zucchini near the end. In the last hour of cooking, stir in the zucchini (or green beans) so it doesn’t get mushy.
  4. Finish with basil. Right before serving, taste and adjust seasoning, then stir in the fresh basil for a bright, aromatic finish.

Recipe Notes, Tips and Variations

This soup is one of my favorite “dump-and-stir” slow cooker recipes—no browning or precooking required. Everything goes right into the pot, making it simple enough for busy days.

To keep the zucchini from turning mushy, I like to add it during the last hour of cooking. If you’re not a fan of zucchini, you can swap in fresh green beans or another quick-cooking vegetable you prefer.

For the best flavor, don’t skip the fresh basil at the end. Stirring it in right before serving gives the broth a bright, fresh lift that balances the richness of the beef.

This recipe makes a generous batch, and like many soups, the flavor gets even better the next day. It reheats beautifully on the stovetop or in the microwave (affiliate link), and leftovers freeze well for up to three months.

If you want to change things up, try these simple variations:

  • Extra herbs – A pinch of red pepper flakes or fresh parsley stirred in at the end gives a different flavor twist.
  • Different vegetables – Add spinach, kale, or chopped bell peppers toward the end of cooking.
  • Lighter version – Use vegetable broth (affiliate link) instead of beef broth for a slightly lighter soup.

Serving Suggestions

This Italian beef and lentil soup is hearty and filling on its own, so I usually keep the sides simple. A small piece of crusty bread, a corn muffin, or a few whole-grain crackers make a nice addition without making the meal too heavy.

I also like serving it with a fresh salad. My Orange Spinach Salad adds a bright, citrusy flavor, while my Weight Watchers Italian Arugula Salad brings a peppery bite. For something quick and easy, my Arugula Salad with Sunflower Seeds and Parmesan always works.

If you’ve made this low fat Italian Crock Pot Beef and Lentil Soup, please give the recipe a star rating below and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. And stay in touch on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates.

4.95 from 18 votes

WW Italian Beef and Lentil Slow Cooker Stew Recipe

Easy, healthy and delicious this hearty Italian Beef and Lentil Slow Cooker Soup is one of my favorites.
Prep: 25 minutes
Cook: 7 hours
Total: 7 hours 25 minutes
Servings: 6
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Ingredients 

  • 1 pound lean beef round, cut into 1-inch chunks
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup chopped onion
  • 1 garlic clove, minced (I used jarred)
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning blend
  • 1 can (14 – 15 ounces) canned diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 3/4 cup dry lentils, rinsed
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 1 large zucchini, diced
  • 1/4 cup fresh slivered basil

Instructions 

  • Ideal slow cooker size: 5- to 6-Quart.
  • Sprinkle the beef with salt and pepper.
  • Place the beef, onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, tomatoes, tomato paste, lentils and beef broth in a 5-quart or larger slow cooker and stir to combine everything well.
  • Cook, covered, on LOW for 6 to 7 hours. During the last hour of cooking add the zucchini.
  • Just before serving, remove the cover and stir in the basil.
  • Serve hot.

Notes

Serving size: 1-1/2 cups
WW Points: 0
Check the WW Points for this recipe and track it in the WW app.
(Must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.)
5 PointsPlus (Old plan)
Substitute 2 cups fresh cut green beans for the zucchini if you prefer.

Nutrition

Serving: 1-1/2 cups, Calories: 233kcal, Carbohydrates: 21g, Protein: 28g, Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 0.5g, Cholesterol: 49mg, Sodium: 1159mg, Potassium: 890mg, Fiber: 9g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 297IU, Vitamin C: 20mg, Calcium: 77mg, Iron: 5mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Soup
Cuisine: American
Tried this recipe?Mention @simplenourishedliving or tag #simplenourishedliving!

Source: Recipe slightly adapted from Weight Watchers

More WW Friendly Slow Cooker Soups

If you liked this Italian beef and lentil soup, you may also enjoy some of my other lighter slow cooker soups. They’re hearty, easy to make, and perfect for cozy meals any time of year.

  • My Hearty Beef Vegetable Slow Cooker Soup is loaded with lean beef and a mix of vegetables for a classic comfort meal that’s both filling and WW friendly.
  • For a flavorful twist, my Slow Cooker Lentil Sausage Soup combines lentils with lean turkey sausage in a savory broth that’s great for meal prep.
  • If you love the rich flavor of onions, my Slow Cooker Beefy French Onion Soup is a lighter, meatier take on the classic, with all the taste you crave but fewer points.
  • Slow Cooker Hamburger Stew is another comforting favorite. Made with lean ground beef, vegetables, and a flavorful broth, it’s an easy, budget-friendly way to enjoy a cozy meal that still fits into a WW plan.

About Martha McKinnon

Weight Watchers Lifetime Member, Yoga Practitioner and Blogger who loves to share her passion for trying to create a happy, healthy, balanced life in what often feels like an overwhelming out of control world.

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4.95 from 18 votes (12 ratings without comment)

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19 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Absolutely delicious! I addedcarots and cooked down a bit more for a thicker stew! Will definitely do this one again! Thank you!