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Vertical close up picture of Black Lentil Soup in a small white bowl

Italian Sausage Black Lentil Soup

If you enjoy the cuisine of Italy, you're going to love this Italian Black Lentil Soup! It's bursting with delicious flavor and will make your kitchen smell like a fabulous little trattoria!

Course Main Course, Soup, Soup/Stew
Cuisine American
Keyword Black Lentil Soup, Italian Black Lentil Soup, Lentil Soup
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Servings 12
Calories 295 kcal
Author Chris Scheuer

Ingredients

  • 1 pound mild or sweet Italian sausage in bulk or removed from its casing
  • 1 large onion
  • 6 garlic cloves finely minced
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • ¾ cup dry white wine
  • 8 cups low sodium chicken broth
  • 2 cups dried black lentils (sometimes called beluga) you can also use green or French lentils
  • 12- ounce jar roasted red peppers
  • 28- ounce can San Marzano tomatoes
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
  • ¾ cup fresh basil leaves roughly chopped if they're large
  • shaved Parmesan for topping
  • extra basil leaves for garnish if desired

Instructions

  1. In a large soup pot or Dutch oven, cook the sausage over medium heat, breaking it up with a metal spatula, until it’s in small, bite-size pieces. Continue cooking until it’s nice and golden brown. Remove the sausage to a plate with a slotted spoon. Leave 2 tablespoons of fat in the pot and discard any extra.

  2. Add the onion to the pot and cook over medium-low for 4-5 minutes, until softened and translucent. Stir the onions occasionally as they cook, scraping up the brown sausage bits on the bottom of the pan as the onions give off their juices.
  3. Add the garlic and Italian seasoning. Cook for another 30 seconds, stirring continuously. Pour the wine into the pot and bring to a boil. Cook, stirring occasionally until most of the liquid has been evaporated.

  4. Add the chicken broth, Italian sausage and lentils to the pot and bring to a boil.
  5. While the mixture is coming to a boil, drain the roasted red peppers and discard the liquid. Break the peppers into bite-size pieces with your fingers and add to the pot. Next drain the tomatoes over a bowl, reserving the liquid. Break the tomatoes into bite-size pieces with your fingers and add to the pot along with the tomato liquid.

  6. Add the bay leaves, salt and pepper to the pot and bring to a boil. Reduce to a nice steady simmer and cook, covered (with the lid slightly vented), for 45-50 minutes. Remove from heat and add the red wine vinegar and chopped basil. Stir to combine.

  7. Taste the soup. The lentils should be firm, but creamy on the inside.(Black lentils can vary in their cooking time depending on their age, so you may need to cook some a bit longer.) Add more salt, if needed. Remove the bay leaves. I like to let this soup sit for about 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors meld and marry. Serve garnished with more fresh basil and a bowl of shaved parmesan to pass at the table. Enjoy!

Recipe Notes

See Café Tips above for further instructions and tips.

Adapted from The New York Times

Nutrition Facts
Italian Sausage Black Lentil Soup
Amount Per Serving
Calories 295 Calories from Fat 117
% Daily Value*
Fat 13g20%
Saturated Fat 5g31%
Cholesterol 29mg10%
Sodium 945mg41%
Potassium 478mg14%
Carbohydrates 25g8%
Fiber 8g33%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 18g36%
Vitamin A 817IU16%
Vitamin C 27mg33%
Calcium 68mg7%
Iron 4mg22%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.