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Hearty Lentil and Sausage Soup with Kale

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A comforting and nourishing soup combining smoky sausage, earthy lentils, and fresh kale, perfect for cozy meals and busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (extra virgin recommended)
  • 1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed (spicy or mild, turkey sausage optional)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 medium carrots, diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 cup brown or green lentils, rinsed
  • 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth (homemade or low-sodium store-bought)
  • 4 cups kale, chopped (stems removed; curly or dinosaur kale)
  • 1 cup crushed tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare your ingredients: chop the onion, carrots, celery, and kale. Rinse the lentils under cold water and drain well. Remove the sausage from casings and break into small pieces. (Prep time: about 10 minutes)
  2. Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add sausage pieces and cook, breaking them up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes.
  3. Add chopped onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute, being careful not to burn the garlic.
  4. Stir in rinsed lentils, crushed tomatoes, dried thyme, bay leaf, and broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover. Simmer gently for 25-30 minutes, or until lentils are tender but not mushy. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  5. Remove bay leaf and stir in chopped kale. Simmer uncovered for another 5 minutes until kale is wilted but still bright green.
  6. Season soup with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Stir well and cook for an additional minute to meld flavors.
  7. Serve hot, optionally garnished with Parmesan cheese or a drizzle of olive oil. Enjoy immediately.

Notes

Brown the sausage well for maximum flavor. Add kale at the end to keep it vibrant and slightly crisp. Rinse lentils before cooking to remove debris. For creamier texture, blend a cup of soup before adding kale. Soup tastes better the next day. Store leftovers in airtight container in fridge up to 4 days or freeze up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: lentil soup, sausage soup, kale soup, hearty soup, easy dinner, weeknight meal, comforting soup, gluten-free soup

Find it online: https://tessierecipes.com/hearty-lentil-and-sausage-soup-with-kale-easy-recipe-for-cozy-meals/