How to Make Sausage and Lentil Soup

Lentils are healthy, but bland; the sweet Italian sausage in this soup makes it savory.

Things You'll Need

• 1 lb. sweet Italian sausage
• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• 2 cups dry lentils
• Large (14-oz.) can stewed tomatoes
• 8 cups canned chicken or vegetable broth

Instructions

How to Make Sausage and Lentil Soup

1. In a heavy frying pan, brown the Italian sausages in olive oil. Cut the sausage into bite-size pieces.

2. Rinse and sort the lentils. While the sausages fry, combine the lentils, tomatoes and broth in a large cooking pot. Bring to a boil.

3. Remove the sausage with a slotted spoon and add it to the pot. Reduce heat to simmer and cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid.

4. Simmer until the lentils are soft, which will be about one hour. Check on the soup after 30 minutes; if the soup becomes too thick during cooking, add a small amount of water.

5. Serve hot with crusty white bread and butter.

Tips & Warnings

• This soup can be prepared in a slow-cooker on low heat; the cooking time is four to five hours.

• To reduce the cooking time, soak the lentils overnight in clean water. Drain the water before adding the lentils to the soup.

• Stir in 1/2 cup cooked macaroni just before serving, if desired.