Lentil and Sausage Soup

Lentil soup flavored with sausage and herbs. Serve with Romano cheese sprinkled on top of each serving bowl.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 3 hr
• Total Time: 3 hr 15 mins
• Calories: 353 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ¼ teaspoon dried basil
• 2 bay leaves
• 8 cups water
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
• ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
• 2 (14.5 ounce) cans chicken broth
• 1 stalk celery, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon salt, or to taste
• 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
• 1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup shredded carrot
• ½ pound sweet Italian sausage
• 1 (16 ounce) package dry lentils, rinsed
• ½ pound ditalini pasta (Optional)

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Place sausage in a large pot. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Add onion, celery and chopped garlic, and saute until tender and translucent. Stir in lentils, carrot, water, chicken broth and tomatoes. Season with garlic powder, parsley, bay leaves, oregano, thyme, basil, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat. Cover, and simmer for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, or until lentils are tender.

Step 2

Stir in pasta, and cook 15 to 20 minutes, or until pasta is tender.