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Hearty Sausage and Lentil Soup

  • Author: Ava Garrison
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 6-8 servings

Description

Get ready to cozy up with a bowl of pure comfort. This Hearty Sausage and Lentil Soup is the perfect answer to chilly evenings and busy weeknights. Packed with smoky sausage, protein-rich lentils, aromatic vegetables, and earthy spices, this soup brings rustic charm to your dinner table. Whether you’re searching for quick dinner ideas, meal prep favorites, or a nourishing family meal, this easy recipe delivers big flavor with minimal fuss. Ideal for anyone looking for healthy snacks, easy dinners, or wholesome food ideas that warm from the inside out.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy), casings removed
  • 1 1/2 cups dry brown or green lentils, rinsed
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, with juices
  • 6 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • Salt to taste
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Optional: red pepper flakes, Parmesan rind, chopped kale or spinach, lemon juice, fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. In a large Dutch oven or soup pot, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add sausage, breaking it up as it cooks until browned. Drain excess fat if needed.
  2. Add onion, carrot, and celery. Sauté for 5–7 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and tomato paste and cook 1–2 minutes more.
  3. Add thyme, smoked paprika, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir to coat vegetables and deglaze the pot if needed.
  4. Add lentils, diced tomatoes, broth, and bay leaf. Drop in Parmesan rind if using. Stir and bring to a boil.
  5. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 30–35 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lentils are tender.
  6. Stir in kale or spinach and cook for another 5 minutes until wilted.
  7. Remove bay leaf and Parmesan rind. Adjust seasoning with salt and a squeeze of lemon juice. Garnish with parsley and serve.

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Find it online: https://avacheflife.com/hearty-sausage-and-lentil-soup/