Lentil Soup With Spinach and Spicy Sausage

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
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Updated on 05/26/22
Lentil Soup With Spinach and Spicy Sausage

The Spruce / Diana Chistruga
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 75 mins
Total: 90 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
345 Calories
21g Fat
26g Carbs
16g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 345
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 21g 27%
Saturated Fat 6g 30%
Cholesterol 41mg 14%
Sodium 2217mg 96%
Total Carbohydrate 26g 9%
Dietary Fiber 9g 31%
Total Sugars 9g
Protein 16g
Vitamin C 30mg 152%
Calcium 133mg 10%
Iron 4mg 25%
Potassium 1132mg 24%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

This delicious lentil soup is made with spicy smoked sausage and spinach, along with a Cajun or Creole seasoning blend and diced tomatoes. The soup is a wonderful combination of ingredients.

If you cannot find andouille, use another smoked sausage. For a lighter soup, consider using chicken or turkey smoked sausage, or kielbasa. The recipe also works with leftover diced ham.

This lentil soup cooks relatively quickly on the stovetop. If you prefer a soup that cooks all day in the slow cooker, take a look at this crock pot lentil soup with bacon.

Enjoy the soup with freshly baked cornbread or Southern buttermilk biscuits. Or serve it with a crusty baguette.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

  • 1 cup chopped onions

  • 1 rib celery, diced

  • 1 large carrot, diced

  • 8 to 12 ounces spicy andouille sausage, thinly sliced

  • 1 large clove garlic, minced

  • 1 cup lentils, rinsed

  • 1 teaspoon Cajun or Creole seasoning blend

  • 1 dash cayenne pepper, or to taste

  • 1/2 teaspoon dried leaf thyme

  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • 5 cups chicken broth

  • 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes

  • Salt, to taste

  • 6 to 8 ounces chopped fresh spinach

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Lentil Soup With Spinach and Spicy Sausage ingredients

    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

  2. In a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat, saute the onions, celery, and carrots in the olive oil until onion is tender.

    sauté the onions, celery, and carrots in the olive oil

    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

  3. Add the sausage slices and cook to lightly brown.

    sausage and vegetables in a pan

    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

  4. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute longer.

    garlic added to sausage and vegetables

    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

  5. Add the lentils, seasoning blend, cayenne, thyme, pepper, chicken broth, and tomatoes; bring to a boil.

    lentils, seasoning blend, cayenne, thyme, pepper, chicken broth, and tomatoes added to the vegetables and sausage mixture

    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

  6. Reduce heat to low, cover, and continue cooking for 1 hour, or until lentils are tender.

    cook the soup on low heat

    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

  7. Add salt, to taste, and spinach.

    spinach and sauce added to the soup

    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

  8. Cover and continue cooking for 10 to 15 minutes longer. Serve and enjoy!

    Lentil Soup With Spinach and Spicy Sausage in a pot

    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga