Hearty Slow Cooker Sausage & Lentil Soup (Print Version)

Hearty slow cooker sausage and lentil soup. A comforting, easy-to-make meal packed with protein and flavor. Great for busy weeknights.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 360 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 375 minutes
Servings: 8 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Dairy-Free, Diabetic-Friendly

# Ingredients:

→ The Hearty Foundation

01 - 1 lb mild or hot Italian sausage, casings removed
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 large yellow onion, diced
04 - 4 cloves garlic, minced

→ Garden Freshness & Depth

05 - 2 large carrots, peeled and diced
06 - 2 stalks celery, diced
07 - 1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
08 - 4 cups chopped kale (stems removed)
09 - 1 tsp dried thyme
10 - 1 bay leaf

→ The Soulful Broth

11 - 1 1/2 cups dry brown or green lentils, rinsed
12 - 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
13 - 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

→ Seasoning & Garnish

14 - Kosher salt, to taste
15 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
16 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

# Instructions:

01 - Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb mild or hot Italian sausage (casings removed) and cook, breaking it up, until browned. Drain any excess fat from the skillet and set the browned sausage aside.
02 - In the same skillet (or a clean one), add 1 large yellow onion, diced, and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in 4 cloves garlic, minced, and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
03 - Transfer the browned sausage, sautéed onion, and garlic to a 6-quart slow cooker. Add 2 large carrots, peeled and diced, 2 stalks celery, diced, and 1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained. This forms the initial layer for your Slow Cooker Sausage and Lentil Soup Recipe.
04 - Add 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 bay leaf, 1 1/2 cups dry brown or green lentils (rinsed), 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth, and 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce to the slow cooker. Stir well to combine all ingredients for your Slow Cooker Sausage and Lentil Soup Recipe.
05 - Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the lentils are tender and the vegetables are soft. This slow cooking process ensures a rich and flavorful Slow Cooker Sausage and Lentil Soup Recipe.
06 - Once cooking is complete, remove and discard the bay leaf. Stir in 4 cups chopped kale (stems removed) until wilted, which typically takes about 5-10 minutes. Season the Slow Cooker Sausage and Lentil Soup Recipe generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste. Garnish with 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped, before serving.

# Notes:

01 - Feel free to use ground turkey or chicken instead of Italian sausage for a lighter version; adjust seasonings as needed.
02 - Leftover soup stores beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or can be frozen for up to 3 months.
03 - Serve this hearty soup with a crusty bread for dipping or a simple side salad to complete the meal.
04 - Rinsing lentils before adding them helps remove any debris and ensures a cleaner-tasting soup.

# Tools You'll Need:

01 - 6-quart (or larger) Slow Cooker
02 - Large Skillet
03 - Cutting Board
04 - Chef's Knife
05 - Measuring Cups
06 - Measuring Spoons

# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):

Calories: 377 kcal
Total Fat: 17 g
Total Carbohydrate: 34 g
Protein: 22 g

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