Description
A warm, hearty Italian Lentil Soup with sausage that feels like a cozy blanket on a chilly day.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (450g) Italian sausage
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 stalks of celery, diced
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes (with juice)
- 1 cup dried lentils
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish (optional)
- Parmesan cheese, grated for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery, and sauté for about 5-7 minutes until softened.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute.
- Break up the sausage with a wooden spoon and cook until browned all over, about 5-6 minutes.
- Mix in the diced tomatoes, lentils, broth, oregano, thyme, and bay leaves. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a gentle boil.
- Reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 30 minutes.
- Check the lentils for doneness. If tender, remove the bay leaves and adjust seasoning as necessary. If using leafy greens, stir them in now and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
- Serve hot, garnished with parsley and Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
For a vegetarian version, replace sausage with plant-based sausage or mushrooms.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Braising
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 30mg