Dinner

Italian Sausage and Lentil Soup Recipe

Name: Italian Sausage and Lentil Soup Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 medium onion, diced; 2 medium celery stalks, diced; 2 medium carrots, diced; 4 medium garlic cloves, minced; 5 oz kale, chopped; 8 ounces Italian turkey sausage (about 2 large links), casings removed; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (adjust to taste); 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper; 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano; 1 teaspoon dried fennel seeds, crushed; 4 cups low sodium chicken stock; 28 oz can crushed tomatoes; 3/4 cup dried brown lentils

Bynova cole December 7, 2025December 7, 2025

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Introduction

This Italian Sausage and Lentil Soup is a hearty, comforting dish perfect for chilly days. Packed with savory flavors, tender lentils, and nutrient-rich kale, it’s both satisfying and nutritious. It’s simple to prepare and makes a wonderful meal any time of year.

A white bowl filled with a warm soup showing three main layers: a thin, light brown broth at the top with a smooth surface, a middle layer containing bright orange carrot slices and dark green leafy vegetables, and a bottom layer dense with small round yellow lentils and chunks of red tomato. The spoon inside the bowl has an ornate silver handle resting on the right edge. A second white bowl with the same soup is blurred in the background on a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
2 medium celery stalks, diced
2 medium carrots, diced
4 medium garlic cloves, minced
8 ounces Italian turkey sausage (about 2 large links)
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (adjust to taste)
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried fennel seeds, crushed
4 cups low sodium chicken stock
28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
5 ounces kale, chopped
3/4 cup dried brown lentils

Instructions

Step 1: In a large stockpot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Sauté the diced onion, celery, and carrots for about 5 minutes, or until they begin to brown. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
Step 2: Remove the sausage from its casings and crumble it into the pot. Cook, stirring and breaking up the sausage, for about 5 minutes until it is no longer pink.
Step 3: Stir in the salt, pepper, oregano, and crushed fennel seeds. Cook the mixture for 1 minute to release the spices’ flavors.
Step 4: Pour in the crushed tomatoes and chicken stock, stirring to combine. Bring the soup to a boil.
Step 5: Add the chopped kale and dried lentils to the pot. Return the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover and let it simmer gently for 30 minutes, or until the lentils are tender.
Step 6: Taste the soup and add extra salt, oregano, or fennel seeds as desired before serving.

Tips & Variations

Swap Italian turkey sausage with pork sausage for a richer flavor.
Use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock to make the soup meat-free, and substitute sausage with plant-based sausage if desired.
Add a splash of red wine while sautéing the vegetables for extra depth.
Serve with crusty bread for a filling meal.

Storage

Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. It also freezes well—keep it in the freezer for up to three months. To reheat, thaw if frozen and warm gently on the stove or in a microwave until heated through.

How to Serve

Two white bowls filled with thick vegetable lentil soup are shown on a white marbled surface. The soup has a deep reddish-orange broth with visible layers of cooked yellow lentils, green leafy vegetables, small chunks of orange carrot, and pieces of red tomato. One bowl is in the foreground with a silver spoon resting inside, reflecting some light from the broth, and the second bowl is slightly blurred in the background. A green and white patterned cloth napkin is partly visible at the right edge. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other types of lentils?

Yes, green or red lentils work well, but cooking times may vary. Adjust simmering until the lentils are tender.

Is it possible to make this soup vegetarian?

Absolutely. Use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock and replace the sausage with a plant-based alternative or sautéed mushrooms for a similar texture.