Ham Sausage & Lentil Soup Recipe 🥣
Overview:
This Ham Sausage & Lentil Soup recipe is a hearty and nutritious dish perfect for chilly evenings or cozy gatherings with friends and family. With a blend of savory smoked ham, flavorful sausage, wholesome lentils, and aromatic spices, this soup is sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection. Plus, it’s low in cholesterol and packed with healthy ingredients, making it a guilt-free indulgence.
- Total Time: 2 hours 1 minute
- Prep Time: 1 minute
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Servings: 8
- Calories: 487.9 per serving
Ingredients:
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 2 tbsp | Olive oil |
| 1 | Sausage |
| 7 oz | Smoked ham |
| 2 | Onions |
| 1 | Green pepper |
| 1 | Carrot |
| 4 | Garlic cloves |
| 1 | Bay leaf |
| 3/4 tsp | Fresh thyme |
| 1/2 tsp | Ground cumin |
| 8 – 9 cups | Low sodium chicken broth |
| 1 can (14 oz) | Tomatoes |
| 1 1/2 – 3/4 cups | Dried lentils |
| 12 oz | Spinach |
Instructions:
-
Prepare Ingredients:
- Heat olive oil in a 6-8 quart saucepan over medium heat.
- Add sausage and cook until almost all fat is rendered.
- Transfer sausage to a platter and drain off all but 2 tablespoons of grease from the saucepan.
-
-
Cook Aromatics:
- Add smoked ham, onions, green pepper, and carrot to the saucepan.
- Cover and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
-
Infuse Flavor:
- Stir in minced garlic, bay leaf, fresh thyme, and ground cumin.
- Cover and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
-
Combine Ingredients:
- While the aromatics are cooking, thinly slice the sausage and add it back to the pan along with chicken stock, canned tomatoes, and dried lentils.
-
Simmer Soup:
- Reduce the heat to low, cover partially, and simmer gently until the lentils begin to dissolve, approximately 2 hours.
-
Storage and Serving:
- This soup can be prepared up to 3 days in advance and refrigerated or frozen for several months.
- Before serving, discard any fat from the surface, taste, and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Simmer just until warmed through, then add fresh spinach.
- Serve the soup while warm and enjoy the comforting flavors!
Nutritional Information:
- Calories: 487.9
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 7.8g
- Cholesterol: 57.2mg
- Sodium: 1312.7mg
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 10.8g
- Sugar: 8.4g
- Protein: 27.6g
Tips:
- For added depth of flavor, you can use a combination of sweet and spicy sausage.
- Experiment with different types of lentils, such as green or red, for variations in texture and taste.
- Garnish each serving with a dollop of sour cream or a sprinkle of grated cheese for an extra indulgent touch.
- Serve the soup with crusty bread or a side salad for a complete and satisfying meal.
Conclusion:
This Ham Sausage & Lentil Soup recipe is a delightful blend of wholesome ingredients and aromatic spices, perfect for warming up on cold days or satisfying hunger any time of year. Whether enjoyed as a comforting meal for one or shared with loved ones, this flavorful soup is sure to please even the most discerning palates. So, gather your ingredients and get ready to savor every spoonful of this delicious homemade soup!
