Sausage, Sweet Potato and Lentil Soup

Red lentils make this hearty soup thick and rich. Combined with the sweet potatoes and turkey sausage, they make a fortifying bowl of soup. Serve Sausage, Sweet Potato and Lentil Soup with crusty bread for a delicious winter meal.

Lentils are affordable and can be used in many recipes to thicken sauces and soups. They are packed with protein and don’t require presoaking. This makes them a great staple to keep year round in your pantry.

You’re going to love Sausage, Sweet Potato and Lentil Soup because it comes together easily in one pot and tastes amazing. This recipe makes 6 servings, allowing you to put some in the freezer for another meal later.

What to serve with Sausage, Sweet Potato and Lentil Soup:

Make it a complete meal by pairing one of these tasty side dishes with this flavorful soup.

• Mini Cornbread Muffins
• Asparagus Spirals
• Herbed Onion Focaccia
• Mediterranean Couscous Salad
• 7 Layer Salad

What are red lentils?

Lentils are legumes, like beans, peas and peanuts. They are grown in a pod and are usually cooked like rice. Simply boil them in liquid to soften. After cooking lentils become soft and dissolve. You can thicken sauces, soups and stews by adding lentils.

Red lentils cook in about 20 minutes, unlike other lentils that take more time. They are affordable and found in the dried beans section of the grocery store.

Sausage, Sweet Potato and Lentil Soup Recipe

What’s needed:

TURKEY SAUSAGE– I used one pound of ground Italian turkey sausage to make this recipe. It adds such great flavor and texture to the soup. Ground turkey sausage comes in mild and hot varieties in the meat section of the grocery store.

MIREPOIX– Chop onion, celery and carrots to form the flavor base for the soup. Most great soups start with this trio of vegetables, also known as mirepoix. (pronounced meer-pwah)

BROTH– Combine diced tomatoes and chicken stock to make the broth for the soup. It will seem like a lot of liquid, but the lentils will absorb a good amount.

SEASONINGS– Bay leaves, thyme, oregano and celery salt are all added to the soup to give it depth of flavor. Add crushed red pepper and black pepper for a bit of heat.

VEGETABLES– Add cubed sweet potatoes and some fresh spinach during the last 20 minutes of cooking to give the soup added sweetness and vibrant color.

How to make Sausage, Sweet Potato and Lentil Soup

Step-by-Step Instructions:

• Add the ground turkey sausage to a Dutch Oven over medium heat. Crumble and cook until no longer pink, about 8 minutes. Add the chopped onion, celery and carrots to the pot and cook for another 5 minutes. Add the garlic and seasonings, stir and cook for 2 minutes more.
• Stir in the diced tomatoes, chicken broth and red lentils. Reduce heat to a low simmer. Cover the pot with a lid and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Add the cubed sweet potatoes and fresh spinach, cover and cook for 15 minutes more.
• Remove the bay leaves and add salt to taste. Garnish with sour cream and shredded Parmesan cheese, if desired. Recipe makes 6 servings.

Serve Sausage, Sweet Potato and Lentil Soup with whole grain bread or crackers, along with a leafy salad for a complete meal. Your family is going to love this hearty, flavorful soup!

More of the Best Soup Recipes:

• Ham and Split Pea Soup
• Creamy Sausage and Tortellini Soup
• Slow-Cooker Black Bean and Ham Soup
• Chicken Corn Chowder
• Slow-Cooker Beef and Brussels Sprouts Stew
• Beef Barley Soup

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