Italian Lentil Soup
the lucky italian soup.
Full Recipe Video:
Servings: 6
Ingredients:
2 tbsp. olive oil
1 lb. pork sausage (combination of hot and sweet, uncased)
1/4 cup yellow onion, chopped
1/4 cup carrot, chopped
1/4 cup celery, chopped
**Or one container of mirepoix mix from Trader Joe’s or loval market (chopped onions, carrots, celery combo)
1 lb. white and/or cremini mushrooms
4 cloves garlic; minced
1 1/2 cans diced tomtaoes with juice
1 3/4 cup lentils, rinsed
6-8 cups beef broth
1 tsp. beef bouillon (we use the powder)
Salt & pepper to taste
Crushed red pepper (optional)
1/2 tbsp. dried oregano
2 bay leaves
3 tbsp. fresh parsley; chopped
Fresh parmesan cheese or pecorino romano
Coat the bottom of a Dutch oven with olive oil. Set heat to medium and cook sausage. Chop until it’s crumbled and browned. Don’t cook all the way through, as it will continue to cook in your broth once added. Remove sausage from pot with a large slotted ladle or spoon to separate bowl. Set aside.
Add mirepoix mixture cook over medium heat until tender.
Add mushrooms and continue to cook. As veggies are cooking down, and salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper (if you like spicy) to taste. You can start off with a little, taste as you go, and bring to the seasoning level you like. Also remember you will be adding your sausage and broth which adds a lot of salt as well. Stir and continue to cook.
Add garlic. Continue to cook.
Add diced tomatoes. Combine.
Add lentils. Combine.
Add sausage back to pot.
Add broth to pot.
Add bouillon, oregano, and bay leaves.
Bring broth to a boil, and then reduce to a simmer.
Add parsley. Cover and cook until lenders are tender, about 20-30 mins. Taste and add any additional seasoning you feel it needs.
To serve, ladle into bowls and grate fresh parmesan cheese/pecorino on top. Finish with a drizzle of olive oil.
Notes:
Many grocery stores and Trader Joe’s sell containers of mirepoix to save you from chopping, but if you do chop your own veggies, make sure you have equal parts carrots, celery, and yellow onion. You can also make this vegetarian friendly by eliminating the sausage and using vegetable broth.
