Print

Sausage and Lentil Stew

sausage and lentil stew - featured image
Print Recipe

This hearty sausage and lentil stew is a cozy, deeply flavorful dinner perfect for cold nights. Smoky sausage, earthy lentils, and aromatic veggies simmer together for a comforting, crowd-pleasing meal that comes together in under an hour.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
  • 2 stalks celery, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 lb (450g) sausage (mix of spicy Italian and smoked, or chicken sausage), sliced
  • 1 cup brown lentils, rinsed
  • 4 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarian)
  • 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes (or diced for chunky texture)
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme (or Italian seasoning)
  • 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (plus more for garnish)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Dice the onion, slice the carrots and celery, and mince the garlic. Slice the sausage into 1/2-inch rounds.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add sausage slices and cook, turning occasionally, until browned on both sides (about 5-7 minutes). Remove sausage and set aside.
  3. In the same pot, add onion, carrot, and celery. Sauté for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until veggies are softened and fragrant. Add garlic and cook for another minute.
  4. Return sausage to the pot. Add lentils, chicken broth, crushed tomatoes, bay leaf, smoked paprika, thyme, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir well and bring to a boil.
  5. Reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer for 30-35 minutes, stirring occasionally. Lentils should be tender but not mushy. If stew thickens too much, add a splash of broth or water.
  6. Remove bay leaf. Stir in chopped parsley and lemon juice. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
  7. Ladle stew into bowls and garnish with extra parsley or a drizzle of olive oil. Let cool for a minute before serving.

Notes

For vegetarian, use plant-based sausage and vegetable broth. Brown the sausage well for extra flavor. Lentils may take longer to cook if old; taste test at 30 minutes. Stew thickens as it sits—add broth to loosen when reheating. Customize with extra veggies, different sausage types, or a splash of balsamic vinegar for tang. Freezes well for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: sausage and lentil stew, cozy dinner, cold weather recipe, comfort food, easy stew, gluten-free, dairy-free, hearty stew, family meal, one-pot dinner

Find it online: https://emmayum.com/sausage-and-lentil-stew-recipe-easy-cozy-dinner-for-cold-nights/