Hearty Lentil Soup
This hearty healthy soup is quick and easy to prepare. Serve with warm French bread to sop up all the deliciousness!
Servings: 8
Ingredients
- 2 T. olive oil
- 1 lb. fully cooked hot Italian sausage cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 1 lg. onion chopped
- 2 lg. carrots peeled, chopped
- 2 lg. parsnips peeled, chopped
- 2 lg. stalks celery chopped
- 2 1/2 tsp. dried Italian seasoning blend
- 1 lb. brown lentils
- 3 quarts low sodium chicken broth
- 1 (5 oz.) pkg. fresh baby spinach leaves
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add sausage and cook until browned, stirring occasionally for about 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer sausage to a bowl.
- Add onion, carrots, parsnips, celery, and Italian seasoning blend to drippings in pot; cook until onion is translucent and vegetables begin to soften, stirring often, about 7 to 8 minutes.
- Add lentils; stir to coat. Add 3 quarts broth. Bring to boil; reduce heat to medium and simmer until lentils are tender, about 20-25 minutes. Stir occasionally, adding more broth by 1/4 cupfuls if the soup gets too thick.
- Add sausage to soup and simmer until vegetables are tender and flavors blend, about 10 to 12 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Stir in spinach. Cook until spinach is wilted, about 3 minutes.
- Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh grated Parmesan cheese. Serve with crusty French bread.
