This hearty Sausage and Lentil Soup combines flavorful Italian sausage, tender lentils, and fresh vegetables in a comforting broth. Perfect for cold weather, this nutritious soup is easy to prepare on the stovetop and can be customized with greens like kale or spinach. It’s a wholesome meal that stores well and freezes beautifully for convenient leftovers.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy, casings removed)
1 small onion, diced
2 carrots, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
1 1/2 cups dried brown or green lentils, rinsed
1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes with juice
6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1 bay leaf
Salt and black pepper to taste
Optional Ingredients
2 cups chopped kale or spinach
Grated Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
Brown the Sausage: In a large soup pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook for about 5 to 6 minutes until browned and cooked through. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
Sauté Vegetables and Aromatics: Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes until the vegetables soften. Stir in the minced garlic, dried oregano, thyme, and crushed red pepper flakes; cook for 1 minute more to release the flavors.
Add Lentils and Liquids: Stir in the rinsed lentils, diced tomatoes with their juice, chicken or vegetable broth, and bay leaf. Mix everything together and bring the mixture to a boil.
Simmer the Soup: Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the soup simmer gently for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the lentils are tender.
Incorporate Greens and Finish: If using kale or spinach, stir them in during the last 5 minutes of cooking until wilted. Remove the bay leaf before serving. Taste the soup and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
Serve: Ladle the hot soup into bowls and optionally top with grated Parmesan cheese. Serve with crusty bread if desired.