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Weeknight • Pork

Hearty Sausage & Lentil Stew

A robust and warming stew packed with savory sausage, nutritious lentils, and aromatic vegetables.

Prep
15 min
Cook
45 min
Servings
6
Level
Weeknight
Hearty Sausage & Lentil Stew

When the weather turns cool or you simply need a meal that hugs you from the inside out, this Hearty Sausage & Lentil Stew is exactly what you need. It's incredibly flavorful, wonderfully filling, and surprisingly easy to make. Perfect for cozy evenings and satisfying appetites!

Ingredients

Yield: 6 servings

Main

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb Italian sausage (sweet or spicy, casings removed if desired)
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup green or brown lentils, rinsed
  • 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
  • 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1/2 tsp dried rosemary
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped, for serving

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add Italian sausage (if using bulk sausage, break it up with a spoon; if links, remove casings and crumble). Cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through. Drain off excess fat, then remove sausage and set aside.

  2. Step 2

    Add chopped onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables begin to soften, about 7-10 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.

  3. Step 3

    Stir in the rinsed lentils, crushed tomatoes, chicken (or vegetable) broth, dried thyme, dried rosemary, and bay leaf. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30-35 minutes, or until lentils are tender.

  4. Step 4

    Return the cooked sausage to the pot. Stir well. Remove the bay leaf. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

  5. Step 5

    Ladle the stew into bowls and garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving. Delicious with crusty bread for dipping!

Tips

  • For a vegetarian version, omit the sausage and add an extra can of drained chickpeas or hearty mushrooms for substance.
  • The stew thickens as it sits. If it becomes too thick when reheating, add a splash of broth or water.

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