The Pioneer Woman Tasty Kitchen
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Lentil Stew with Sausage and Spinach

5.00 Mitt(s) 4 Rating(s)4 votes, average: 5.00 out of 54 votes, average: 5.00 out of 54 votes, average: 5.00 out of 54 votes, average: 5.00 out of 54 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5

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Level: Easy

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Description

Lentils . . . Pretty boring and bland. To make up for their boringness, lentils are forced to bring many health benefits to the table in order to get noticed. They are high in fiber, low in calories, extremely filling and will soak up the flavors of whatever liquid you decide to cook them in. Paired with chicken stock, fresh spinach, and smoky Italian sausage this lentil stew will quickly become your favorite.

Ingredients

  • 2 teaspoons Olive Oil
  • 1  Medium White Onion, Chopped
  • 2 cups Baby Carrots Chopped
  • 2 cloves Garlic, Smashed And Minced
  • 3 sprigs Fresh Thyme
  • 2 leaves Bay
  • 1 bag 8 Oz Dried Lentils Rinsed
  • 1 carton 32oz Low Sodium Chicken Stock
  • 2 cups Water
  • 1 bag 8oz Frozen Spinach, Defrosted And Drained
  • 1 pound Italian Sausage, Cooked Over Medium Heat Until Browned, Then Sliced
  • Salt And Pepper, to taste

Preparation

Heat a Dutch oven or large pot over medium heat.

Add a tablespoon of olive oil to the hot pan. Add the onions, carrots and garlic and saute until soft, approximately 4-5 minutes. Add the thyme and bay leaves. Stir until spices are thoroughly combined. Add the lentils. Stir together with the vegetable mixture until fully mixed.

Slowly add the chicken broth. Then add the water. Stir to combine. Increase heat to bring the soup to a boil. Once it begins boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and partially cover the pot. Let simmer for approximately 30-40 minutes or until the lentils have become soft, puffed up and have absorbed a good amount of the liquid.

Once the lentils have puffed up, add the spinach in several small batches, stirring to combine. Stir in the cooked sausage. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Serve warm and enjoy!

2 Comments

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Julie on 5.4.2013

Excellent! I have made this several times and used crumbled italian sausage. My kids love it too!

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Danielle Terrell on 10.16.2011

I made this tonight and it was delicious! For a twist, instead of using spinach we used kale. The flavor isn’t quite as strong and it holds a crispy texture. Thank you for sharing! I’ve never cooked with lentils before and this may be a new favorite

4 Reviews

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Jenelle Miller on 5.6.2017

I didn’t have Italian sausage but used regular loose sausage instead and it was wonderful. Didn’t need much salt.

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rinabeana on 3.26.2014

Easy to make and tasty! I haven’t had lentils very often, and remember making a big batch once and not liking them very much. They’re still not my favorite, but as one component of a dish instead of the main component of a dish, I can handle them. We used smoked turkey kielbasa instead of Italian sausage and it was a great flavor. I also used a whole 16 oz. bag of frozen spinach instead of 8 oz. It wasn’t even necessary to thaw and drain. I just threw it in at the end and waited until it was heated through. The stew was hearty since the broth was packed with lentils, carrots, onions, spinach, and sausage. My boyfriend will be enjoying the leftovers for lunch. Thanks for sharing!

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Liz on 2.20.2012

we loved this recipe! just right!

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stephanichki on 10.21.2011

Absolutely delicious. I actually forgot to add salt and pepper because I was chasing my two year old son around the house while cooking. It was still so flavorful. I ended up adding orzo at the end as well (and subsequently, additional chicken stock and water). My son and I both loved it. I will definitely make it again. yum.

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