Description
Sausage Lentil Soup is a hearty and flavorful one-pot meal combining tender brown lentils, savory Italian sausage, and a rich blend of vegetables and herbs. Perfect for warming up on chilly evenings, this nutritious and comforting soup balances protein and fiber with bold flavors, making it ideal for weeknight dinners or sharing with loved ones.
Ingredients
Scale
Sausage
- 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
Vegetables
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 medium carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups fresh spinach or kale (optional)
Legumes & Broth
- 1 cup brown lentils, rinsed
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
Herbs & Spices
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Other
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Brown the Sausage: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Crumble in the Italian sausage and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside to prevent overcooking later.
- Sauté the Veggies: In the same pot, add chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Cook until softened and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute to release its aroma.
- Add Lentils and Broth: Pour in the rinsed brown lentils, diced tomatoes, chicken or vegetable broth, bay leaves, and dried thyme. Stir everything together and bring to a gentle boil.
- Simmer and Season: Reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and let the soup simmer for 30-40 minutes, or until the lentils are tender. Season with salt and pepper to taste, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Add Sausage and Greens: Return the cooked sausage to the pot along with fresh spinach or kale, if using. Stir until the greens wilt, about 3-5 minutes. Remove bay leaves before serving.
Notes
- Use quality sausage to significantly enhance the flavor of the soup.
- Don’t skip the onions, carrots, and celery as they add essential sweetness and depth.
- Rinse lentils thoroughly to remove debris and ensure a clean taste.
- Simmer the soup gently to prevent lentils from becoming mushy.
- Adjust salt at the end, especially if using salted broth.
- Variations: Substitute sausage with smoked paprika-seasoned mushrooms for a vegetarian version.
- Add red pepper flakes or jalapeños for a spicy kick.
- Use red or green lentils to alter texture: red for creamy, green for firmer.
- Add diced potatoes or sweet potatoes for extra bulk and sweetness.
- Experiment with rosemary or sage as alternatives to thyme.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Reheat gently, adding broth or water if soup thickens too much.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
Keywords: sausage lentil soup, hearty soup, Italian sausage, healthy soup, one-pot meal, gluten free soup, comfort food, lentil soup
