Sausage & Lentil Chili
Okay, so I think I make yummy dinners every night of the week…but this Sausage & Lentil Chili takes the top prize for the absolute yummiest I’ve made in a long time. It was on another level. We were obsessed with it…and I think you will be too.
Now, don’t be scared if you haven’t cooked with lentils before. You’ll find them right there on the grain aisle next to the dried beans/rice/quinoa/pasta and such. You will just need one bag of dry lentils (2 cups). That’s it. I’m telling you…this was such a hit on so many different levels. Make it and tell me what you think too!!
This recipe serves four.
Shopping List
1 pound of bulk Italian sausage (we used a mild sweet sausage but you could use spicy)
Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves of garlic, chopped
salt and pepper
2 (14 oz) cans of diced tomatoes
1 (8 oz) can of tomato sauce
1 (10 oz) package of frozen spinach, thawed and all of the excess water squeezed out (I squeeze it in a clean kitchen towel over my sink)
1 (32 oz) box of chicken stock
2 cups of dry lentils
grated Parmesan cheese to garnish
chopped parsley to garnish
In a large pot over medium-high heat, brown up your sausage in a drizzle of EVOO until it’s cooked and crumbly. Next, add in your chopped onion and garlic with a pinch of both salt and pepper. Saute about 5 or 6 minutes until the onions are soft. Next, stir in your tomatoes, tomato sauce, spinach, stock and lentils. Bring everything to a boil and then immediately reduce the heat to low and simmer for one hour, stirring occasionally.
After an hour, your lentils will be soft and your chili will be nice and thick. Ladle the chili into bowls and garnish with a little grated Parm and chopped parsley. Then email me and tell me how good this supper was 🙂 .
Enjoy!
Yaaaas, obsessed with lentils!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Have you ever made this in the crock pot? If so, how long would you let it cook for?
I haven’t but I bet you could! I would say on low 6 to 8 hours or high for 3 hours.
Are there any seasonings that need to go in? Like chili powder?
Nope! Just salt and pepper. Your sausage, onion and garlic will add a ton of flavor!
I am going to make this next week. I have never tried lentils and this recipe goes perfectly with 2 of my resolutions – 1) try new foods and 2) make one new recipe a month. The 2nd one has actually been a resolution for 3 years now because I love it and it keeps me from getting in a recipe rut. I already made January’s new dish (cheeseburger soup and it was delish) but I can’t wait until February to try this one… Maybe I will amend my resolution to 2 new recipes a month. Thanks Shay!
I am trying this Saturday! I may make some without the sausage for my vegetarian daughter too!
Do you drain the cans of tomatoes? Thanks!
Nope!
I’m 25 and just starting getting into cooking – made this Friday for my boyfriend and we were both obsessed. Making it again tonight!
This is on my menu this week, can’t wait to try it!! It looks delish and lentils are something new for us, love branching out!
Looks so good, I put it on the menu tomorrow! Thank you for the recipe!! <3
Just made this last night and it was a huge hit!! Definitely making this again. It had such great flavor and I even added in a little giardiniera on my second helping and it was even more fabulous!
I made this the night you posted it! I only had fresh Kale on hand so I used that instead of the frozen spinach. It turned out SO good. Thanks for sharing!
I made it over the weekend and it really was amazing! I couldn’t believe how flavorful it was! And so easy to make. Thank you!
My family of 6 LOVED it! Any idea what the calorie count per serving is?
Yay! I’m glad to hear that! And no, I don’t keep up with the calories. Sorry!
I made this tonight for dinner. It was perfect for our stormy night and so good!!!! Thank you ?
I forgot to buy spinach! Could I just sauté some fresh? Or leave out?
Either way!!
On the stove simmering now for a late dinner. I browned the sausage, onion, garlic on Sunday & froze. As I did with the homemade chicken stock so easy to put together today. Have home made crescents for dipping. They will be baked at the last moment to serve warm. Will be back to tell you what we thought.
This was very good everyone went back for seconds. Thickens quickly so you must keep an eye on it & stir often.
Yum….but I’d have to leave sausage out for oldest son who is vegetarian….tried vegan for awhile but couldn’t do for long. I’ll brown up sausage for hubby and me in a seperate pan. May add more veggies for son. He has his family but visits us for golf or doing puzzles and looooves trying to cuddle with grand nephews, oldest 3 this mo. other 5 mo. Cousins. The youngest needs his tummy full before socializing. The oldest shouts for our younger son who sleeps during the day. Job. They get a kick out of each other. Our youngest son is the gift of a fullfilled dream since I was 15 and saw the story of Harry Holt on T.V. We adopted him from Korea at 101/2 mo. Oh what a cutie. He’s 40 in May. I’m 73 soon, hubby 74 and has Parkinsons. Biggest regret…not adopting more kids right away despite cost going up. I was just scared. We Just love him so much. You are so lucky to be able to expand your family this way. Ours was so spoiled by 4 siblings but he’s doing the same with their kids. We also had 2 Viet refugee teens and a family we helped, godparents to 5 th…all grown now. The best of luck to your family and God’s Blessings.