Hearty Lentil and Sausage Stew
A comforting, budget-friendly stew packed with protein, vegetables, and flavour. Perfect for a cold Canadian evening.
Ingredients
- 300 g Sausage — Pork or turkey, mild or Italian style
- 1 tbsp Vegetable Oil
- 1 Onion — Medium, diced
- 2 Carrots — Medium, peeled and diced
- 2 Celery Stalks — Diced
- 2 cloves Garlic — Minced
- 150 g Green or Brown Lentils — Rinsed
- 1 can Diced Tomatoes — 398 mL (14 oz)
- 1 L Chicken or Vegetable Broth
- 1 tsp Dried Thyme
- ½ tsp Dried Rosemary — Crushed
- ½ tsp Salt — Or to taste
- ¼ tsp Black Pepper — Or to taste
- 2 cups Spinach — Fresh, packed
Equipment
- Large Pot or Dutch Oven
- Slotted Spoon
- Cutting Board
- Chef's Knife
Instructions
Tip: tap Start Cooking for hands-free step mode with built-in timers.
- 1
Remove sausage from casings (if applicable) and crumble. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add sausage and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Remove sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside.
7 min timer - 2
Reduce heat to medium. Add diced onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Sauté, stirring occasionally, until vegetables soften, about 8-10 minutes. They should be tender-crisp.
10 min timer - 3
Stir in minced garlic, dried thyme, and crushed rosemary. Cook for 1 minute more until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
1 min timer - 4
Add rinsed lentils, diced tomatoes (undrained), chicken or vegetable broth, salt, and pepper to the pot. Return the cooked sausage to the pot.
- 5
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30-40 minutes, or until lentils are tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
40 min timer - 6
Once lentils are tender, stir in the fresh spinach. Cook for 2-3 minutes, until the spinach has wilted. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
3 min timer - 7
Ladle the hearty lentil and sausage stew into bowls. Serve hot, optionally with a side of crusty bread for dipping.
Notes
- For extra flavour, add a bay leaf during simmering and remove before serving.
- Adjust the amount of broth for your desired stew consistency; add more for a thinner stew, less for a thicker one.
Substitutions
- Pork/Turkey Sausage: Ground beef or plant-based sausage for a vegetarian option
- Green/Brown Lentils: Red lentils (note: they will cook faster and break down more, creating a thicker stew)
- Spinach: Chopped kale or other leafy greens (add earlier with the broth if using tougher greens like kale)
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Freezer
This stew freezes well. Let it cool completely, then transfer to freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Nutrition not calculated. Cook temperatures follow Health Canada guidance where cited.
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