Italian Sausage and Lentil Soup

By hanley89

Ingredients

• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1-1 1/2 pounds Italian sausage( If you prefer you can use hot Italian sausage)
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 pound baby carrots, peeled and slice into coins
• 2 large parsnips, peeled and chopped
• 4 celery stalks with leaves, chopped
• 2 1/2 tsps dried italian seasonings
• 1 pound brown lentils
• 4 quarts chicken broth or stock
• 8-16 oz baby spinach or chopped baby kale( I use 16 oz- we love greens)

Preparation

Step 1

1. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add sausage and cook until browned, stirring ocasionally about 7-10 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer sausage to a paper lined plate. Add 1 tbsp olive oil to pot. Add onions carrots, parsnips, celery and italian seasonings, cook until onion is translucent and vegetables are starting to soften, stirring often, about 7-10 minutes. Add lentils and stir to coat. Add Chicken broth. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium and simmer 20 minutes until lentils are tender. Stirring occasionally. You can add up to another quart of chicken broth if you like a thinner soup
2. Add sausage and simmer soup until vegetables are tender 10 -15 minutes
Season with slat and pepper. Stir in Spinach or Kale, Cook until wilted
3. Serve with Crusty Bread. Can dust the soup bowls with parmesan cheese

NOTE: Freezes well