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slow cooker sausage lentil soup in bowl

Slow Cooker Sausage Lentil Soup (Easy & Hearty)

This Slow Cooker Sausage Lentil Soup is hearty, cozy, and full of deep, savory flavor. Tender lentils simmer slowly with seasoned sausage, vegetables, and herbs to create a thick, comforting soup that tastes even better with time. It’s an easy, nourishing meal that’s perfect for chilly days and busy weeknights.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 15 minutes
Course Main Course, Soup
Cuisine American
Servings 6
Calories 420 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound sausage Italian, smoked, or chicken sausage
  • 1½ cups dried brown or green lentils
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 2 carrots chopped
  • 2 celery stalks chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 can diced tomatoes 14.5 oz
  • 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme or Italian seasoning
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Optional add ins: 

  • spinach kale, or red pepper flakes.

Instructions  

Step 1: Prepare the sausage

  • If your sausage is raw, slice or crumble it. You can brown it in a skillet for 5 minutes. This adds flavor, but it’s optional.
  • If using smoked or fully cooked sausage, you can skip browning.

Step 2: Prep the vegetables

  • Chop the onion, carrots, and celery into even pieces. Mince the garlic.
  • Try to keep the size similar so everything cooks evenly.

Step 3: Add to the slow cooker

  • Add lentils, sausage, vegetables, garlic, tomatoes, broth, bay leaf, and seasoning to the slow cooker.
  • Stir gently to combine.

Step 4: Cook

  • Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours.
  • Or cook on high for 3 to 4 hours.
  • The soup is ready when lentils are tender and the broth has thickened.

Step 5: Finish and serve

  • Remove the bay leaf. Taste and adjust salt and pepper.
  • If adding spinach or kale, stir it in during the last 10 minutes. Serve hot.

Video

Notes

📝 Notes

  • Use brown or green lentils; they hold their shape best in the slow cooker.
  • Italian sausage adds great flavor; mild or spicy both work well.
  • Brown the sausage first for deeper taste, but it’s optional.
  • Low-sodium broth helps control salt levels.
  • Add leafy greens like spinach in the last 10 minutes, if desired.
  • Soup thickens as it sits; add a splash of broth when reheating.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

🍽️ Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 420,
Carbohydrates: 34g,
Fiber: 12g,
Sugars: 5g,
Protein: 26g,
Fat: 22g,
Saturated Fat: 8g,
Cholesterol: 75mg,
Sodium: 980mg,
Potassium: 820mg,
Calcium: 90mg,
Iron: 5mg
Keyword Slow Cooker Sausage Lentil Soup (Easy & Hearty)