Italian Lentil Soup

5 from 1 vote

Every family has their own version of lentil soup, and this is ours. My Italian Lentil Soup is packed with colorful veggies, tender lentils, and a savory sausage base that brings the kind of flavor you want to eat all week long. It’s high in iron, protein, and fiber, but still cozy and comforting—proof that healthy food doesn’t have to taste like “health food.” A drizzle of Fresno pepper gremolata gives it that extra zing that wakes everything up, and a sprinkle of Parmigiano Reggiano ties it all together in true Italian fashion.

Prep Time15

Cook Time45

Total Time1

Course: Main Course, Side Dish, Soup

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: Italian Lentil Soup

Servings:

Ingredients

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 lb uncased mild sausage pork or chicken
1 medium-sized onion diced
1½ tsp kosher salt
¼ cup sweet vermouth or red wine
¼ tsp ground pepper
2 large carrots diced
2 celery stalks diced
1 large Yukon gold potato diced
9 cups chicken broth OR 5 cups veggie stock + 4 cups water
5 thyme sprigs
3 rosemary sprigs
2 bay leaves
¾ cup black lentils
5 ounces fresh spinach
Grated Parmigiano Reggiano

Fresno Gremolata Ingredients

3 Fresno peppers minced
3 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1½ tbsp sherry vinegar
½ tsp sea salt

Instructions

To a large pot, add the olive oil & uncased sausage. Over medium heat, cook the sausage and break it apart as it cooks. Once the sausage is no longer pink, add the onions, salt, and pepper, and continue cooking for 2 more minutes or until the onions are translucent.
Add the sweet vermouth or red wine and let it cook for 3 more minutes to let the alcohol burn off.
Stir in the carrots, celery & potatoes and let those cook for another 3 minutes before adding the chicken broth, lentils, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves. Bring to a boil and then lower to a simmer. Let simmer until the lentils are tender, about 30 minutes. Skim off the foam from the top.
Remove soup from the heat and immediately stir in the spinach.
Plate and top with Fresno “gremolata” (recipe below) and grated Parmigiano Reggiano
Fresno Gremolata
Add all the ingredients to a small bowl and mix.

Nutrition