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Hearty lentil soup with sausage and kale in a white ceramic bowl, garnished with fresh parsley - easy one-pot comfort food recipe
Lena Joy

Easy Hearty Lentil Soup with Sausage & Kale

A hearty, protein-packed lentil soup ready in 45 minutes and made in one pot. Perfect for busy weeknights and meal prep.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Course: soup, Main course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 340
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

=== For the Soup Base ===
  • 1 lb savory sausage
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 yellow onion diced
  • 2 carrots chopped
  • 2 celery ribs chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tbsp all-purpose flour optional, for thickening
=== The Liquid & Lentils ===
  • 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth
  • 1 cup dry brown lentils or French green lentils, rinsed
  • 1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • ½ tsp mustard powder
  • ½ tsp dried thyme
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • ¼ tsp salt adjust to taste
  • 2 tsp hot sauce optional, mild
=== The Greens & Finish ===
  • 2 cups chopped kale or fresh spinach
  • Fresh parsley for garnish
  • Grated Parmesan for serving optional
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice (freshly squeezed, optional)

Equipment

  • Dutch oven or large heavy-bottomed pot (6-quart)
  • cutting board
  • Chef's knife
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Wooden spoon or spatula
  • Airtight containers for storage
  • Ladle for serving

Method
 

  1. Brown sausage in pot (6-8 min), then remove. Leave 1 tbsp drippings.
  2. Sauté onion, carrot, celery – 5 min. Add garlic – 1 min.
  3. Stir in tomato paste – 2 min. Add flour if using – 1 min.
  4. Add 1 cup broth, scrape pot. Add remaining broth, lentils, tomatoes, Worcestershire, mustard powder, thyme, pepper, hot sauce. Stir.
  5. Bring to boil, then reduce heat. Cover and simmer 25-30 min until lentils tender.
  6. Return sausage, add kale or spinach. Cook 5 min.
  7. Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, then adjust salt and pepper to taste before serving.

Notes

Swap sausage for mushrooms to make it vegetarian. Use kale or spinach. Store in fridge for 4 days or freeze for 3 months.
Nutrition (per serving):
 
Nutrient Amount Nutrient Amount
Calories 340 kcal Protein 22g
Carbohydrates 28g Fat 15g
Fiber 10g Saturated Fat 5g
Sugar 6g Cholesterol 45mg
Sodium 680mg Calcium 80mg
Nutrition is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and preparation methods.