Description
Spicy Sausage Lentil Soup is a hearty and flavorful comfort dish packed with tender lentils, savory sausage, and a spicy kick. Perfect for chilly evenings, this nutritious soup offers bold flavors and wholesome goodness in every bowl. Easy to prepare and customizable with your favorite spices and greens, it’s a satisfying meal everyone will love.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound of spicy sausage (or mild sausage for less heat)
- 1 cup dried lentils (rinsed)
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 ounces)
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Fresh parsley or cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Start by heating olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add sliced spicy sausage and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the sausage and set aside.
- In the same pot, sauté chopped onions, carrots, and celery until tender, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic in the last minute for flavor.
- Stir in smoked paprika, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Cook for another minute to release the spices’ aroma. Add diced tomatoes and cook for a few minutes.
- Pour in chicken or vegetable broth and add rinsed lentils. Return cooked sausage to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 30-40 minutes until lentils are tender. Stir occasionally.
- Taste and adjust seasonings. For a creamier texture, blend part of the soup with an immersion blender if desired. Serve hot, garnished with chopped parsley or cilantro.
Notes
- For extra flavor, sprinkle with a dash of apple cider vinegar.
- Add leafy greens like spinach or kale for added nutrition.
- Use spicy chorizo instead of regular sausage for more heat.
- Vegetarian version: substitute sausage with smoked tofu or extra vegetables.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 280 kcal Kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 860mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 9g
- Protein: 16g
- Cholesterol: 55mg