Spicy Sausage Lentil Kale (Printable)

A warming blend of spicy sausage, lentils, and kale with savory tomato broth and spices.

# Components:

→ Meats

01 - 12 oz spicy Italian sausage, casings removed

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium onion, diced
03 - 2 medium carrots, diced
04 - 2 celery stalks, diced
05 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
06 - 4 cups kale, stems removed and leaves chopped

→ Legumes

07 - 1 cup brown or green lentils, rinsed

→ Liquids

08 - 5 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
09 - 14 oz can diced tomatoes with juices
10 - 2 cups water

→ Spices & Seasonings

11 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
12 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
13 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
14 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
15 - 1 bay leaf
16 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Oils

17 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

# Directions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add sausage and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned, approximately 5 minutes. Remove excess fat if necessary.
02 - Add onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Sauté for 5 to 7 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
03 - Stir in garlic, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, thyme, and oregano. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Add lentils, diced tomatoes with juices, broth, water, and bay leaf. Stir well to combine.
05 - Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes until lentils are tender.
06 - Remove the bay leaf. Stir in chopped kale and simmer uncovered for 5 to 7 minutes until kale is wilted and tender.
07 - Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The spicy sausage does all the heavy lifting flavor-wise, so you're not standing around adding layer after layer of seasoning.
  • It's a one-pot wonder that actually feels like you've cooked something substantial without the cleanup nightmare.
  • Kale becomes genuinely delicious here instead of that bitter afterthought it sometimes is in soup.
02 -
  • Don't skip removing the bay leaf before serving, or you'll bite into something that tastes like dirt and regret your choice. This sounds obvious until it happens to you.
  • The lentils continue absorbing liquid after cooking, so if you're reheating leftovers, you might need to add extra broth or water to get back to the consistency you loved the first day.
03 -
  • If your sausage is very fatty, don't hesitate to drain some of the rendered grease before adding vegetables, otherwise your soup becomes slick.
  • Taste as you go with the red pepper flakes because heat preferences vary wildly, and you can always add more but you can't take it back.
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