Sausage Lentil Soup (Instant Pot or Slow Cooker!)

• servings: 10 servings
• active time: 10 minutes
• total time: 35 minutes

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 lb Italian sausage

1 large onion (chopped)

2 stalks celery (chopped)

3-4 carrots (peeled and chopped)

3 cloves garlic (minced)

1 tablespoon tomato paste

1 1/2 tablespoons Italian seasoning

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1 teaspoon salt

29 oz canned diced tomatoes

5 cups chicken stock (+1-2 more cups for the slow cooker)

1 1/2 cups dry lentils

1 cup finely chopped kale (optional)

Directions

FOR THE INSTANT POT:

Press the SAUTE button on the instant pot and let preheat for 1-2 minutes. Add the olive oil and Italian sausage. Cook, breaking into small pieces with a spoon, until no longer pink.

Add the onion, celery and carrot. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the vegetables start to soften. Stir in the garlic, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes and salt.

Add the diced tomatoes, chicken stock, and lentils. Stir to combine.

Close the instant pot and press MANUAL and set timer for 10 minutes. When the time is up let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then quick release the rest of the steam.

Stir in the chopped kale. Serve topped with parmesan cheese if desired. Enjoy!

FOR THE SLOW-COOKER:

In a large skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil and Italian sausage. Cook, breaking into small pieces with a spoon, until no longer pink.

Add the onion, celery and carrot. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the vegetables start to soften. Stir in the garlic, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes and salt.

Transfer the sausage/vegetable mixture to the slow-cooker. Add the diced tomatoes, 6 cups of chicken stock, and lentils. Stir to combine.

Cook on low for 6 hours. Stir in the chopped kale. Serve topped with parmesan cheese if desired. Enjoy!

Nutrition

• Calories: 357 kcal
• Total Fat: 19 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 38 mg
• Sodium: 883 mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 29 g
• Dietary Fiber: 11 g
• Total Sugars: 6 g
• Protein: 18 g