Hearty Sausage & Lentil Soup
Sausage lentil soup: cook this hearty and warming meal, perfect for any occasion. Packed with flavor and nutrition, it's an excellent choice for family dinners.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lb Italian sausage
- 1 large onion (chopped)
- 2 stalks celery (chopped)
- 3-4 carrots (peeled and chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 1/2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup dry brown or green lentils (rinsed)
- 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
Instructions
- For Instant Pot: Select SAUTE. Add olive oil, then Italian sausage. Cook until browned, drain fat. Add onion, celery, carrots, garlic. Sauté 3-5 minutes. Stir in tomato paste, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt. Cook 1 minute.
- Add 1 cup rinsed lentils and 6 cups broth. Secure lid, select MANUAL/PRESSURE COOK, HIGH pressure for 15 minutes. Natural release 10 minutes, then quick release.
- For Slow Cooker: Heat olive oil in a skillet. Brown Italian sausage, drain fat, transfer to slow cooker.
- To slow cooker, add onion, celery, carrots, garlic, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, 1 cup rinsed lentils, and 6 cups broth. Stir to combine.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours, until lentils are tender.
- Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Serve hot.
Notes
- When browning the Italian sausage, ensure it's fully cooked and nicely caramelized for maximum flavor before adding other ingredients. This step builds the foundation of the soup's taste.
- If using a slow cooker, I once found the lentils were a bit too firm; it taught me the importance of ensuring the liquid level is adequate and stirring halfway through if possible to ensure even cooking.
- For storage, this soup can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. Nutrition information is an estimate, calculated automatically. Values vary with brands, substitutions and portion sizes.
- If using a slow cooker, I once found the lentils were a bit too firm; it taught me the importance of ensuring the liquid level is adequate and stirring halfway through if possible to ensure even cooking.
- For storage, this soup can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. Nutrition information is an estimate, calculated automatically. Values vary with brands, substitutions and portion sizes.