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Hearty Sausage & Lentil Soup - sausage lentil soup - Sausage lentil soup: cook this hearty and warming meal, perfect for any occasion. Packed with flavor and nu

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.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 8
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 380
Ingredients Method Notes

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

Method
 

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. For Slow Cooker: Heat olive oil in a skillet. Brown Italian sausage, drain fat, transfer to slow cooker.
  4. 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.
  5. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours, until lentils are tender.
  6. 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.