Lentil Soup with Sausage and Greens
My Lentil Soup with Sausage and Greens is packed with nutrient-rich lentils, chicken sausage, and vegetables. It’s easy to make, inexpensive and filling enough to be eaten for dinner.
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Cook Time40 minutes mins
Total Time50 minutes mins
Course: Soup
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6
Calories: 326kcal
- 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 package (12 ounces) cooked chicken sausage, sliced
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
- 3 stalks celery, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary (or 1 teaspoon dried)
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 8 ounces (about 1 cup + 2 tablespoons) French green lentils, rinsed
- 4 cups reduced-sodium vegetable or chicken broth
- 4 cups roughly chopped Swiss chard, kale, spinach or other leafy green
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Optional: grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese for topping
In a large Dutch oven or other heavy bottomed pot, heat ½ tablespoon oil over medium-high heat. Add the sausage slices and brown them on both sides. Transfer the sausage to a bowl. Add the remaining tablespoon oil to the pot along with the onion, carrot and celery. Cook until slightly softened, 4-5 minutes. Stir in the garlic, rosemary, bay leaf and tomato paste and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the lentils, stock and 4 cups water. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer with the lid slightly ajar until lentils are tender, about 30 minutes.
Stir in the greens, vinegar, salt, pepper, and sausage and cook until the greens are wilted and the sausage is heated through, 3-4 minutes. Adjust seasoning to taste. Serve with Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, if desired.
Calories: 326kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 40mg | Sodium: 908mg | Potassium: 698mg | Fiber: 15g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 6968IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 69mg | Iron: 4mg