Lentil And Sausage Soup
A hearty and flavorful lentil and sausage soup featuring tender lentils, savory sausage, and fresh spinach, perfect for comforting meals and packed with robust flavors.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cook sausage in a 3 to 4-quart pot over medium-high heat for 3 to 5 minutes, breaking up with a wooden spoon until lightly browned. Drain and discard fat.
- Add chicken broth, water, lentils, diced tomatoes, chopped onion, and minced garlic to the pot.
- Cover and bring to a boil over high heat.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lentils are almost tender.
- Stir in small pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes until lentils and pasta are tender.
- Add spinach and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes until tender.
Tips & Substitutions
For added depth of flavor, consider using homemade chicken broth or adding a bay leaf during cooking. You can substitute the Italian sausage with turkey sausage for a lighter option. If you want a vegetarian version, replace the sausage with sautéed mushrooms and use vegetable broth. Adjust the seasoning with herbs like thyme or oregano to enhance the taste.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this hearty Lentil and Sausage Soup with crusty bread or a side salad for a complete meal. It pairs beautifully with Chicken And Dressing With Gravy for a comforting dinner. For a bit of freshness, consider adding a squeeze of lemon juice or some grated Parmesan cheese on top before serving.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat, simply warm on the stove over low heat until heated through, adding a little water or broth if the soup thickens too much. This soup also freezes well; just ensure to cool it completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Lentil And Sausage Soup contains roughly 1265 calories, with 50g protein, 175g carbohydrates, and 43g fat. It is an excellent source of protein (100% of the Daily Value), vitamin C (80% of the Daily Value), and iron (75% of the Daily Value), and a good source of calcium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1634mg per serving (71% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use canned lentils instead of dried lentils?
Yes, you can use canned lentils to save time. Drain and rinse them, then add them to the soup during the last 10 minutes of cooking to heat through. This will prevent them from becoming too mushy during the long cooking time.
What can I do if my soup is too thick?
If your soup turns out too thick, simply add more broth or water until you reach your desired consistency. Stir it in gradually to avoid making it too watery. You can also adjust the seasoning afterwards to maintain flavor balance.
How can I make this soup spicier?
To add some heat, you can use hot Italian sausage instead of sweet or incorporate crushed red pepper flakes during cooking. For a different kick, try adding diced jalapeños or a splash of hot sauce just before serving.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).