5.0 from 21 votes
Sausage and Lentil Soup (Slow Cooker)
This Crockpot Italian sausage and lentil soup recipe with bacon is an ultra hearty and comforting meal for cooler weather! It's warm and nourishing and simple to make.
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
4 hrs
Total Time
4 hrs 15 mins
Servings: 6
Calories: 572 kcal
Course:
Soup
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 6 trips Bacon cut into small pieces
- 16 ounces Italian sausage
- 1 medium onion chopped finely
- 2 ticks celery chopped finely
- 1 medium red bell pepper chopped finely
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1.5 cups dry green or brown lentils
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes or to taste
- salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Fry the bacon until crispy in a skillet over medium-high heat (about 10 min). Transfer to a paper towel lined plate. Leave the bacon fat in the pan.
- In the same skillet, fry the sausage meat until browned (about 7-8 min), breaking it up with your spoon as you go along, and then transfer it to the same plate as the bacon.
- Leave about 1-2 tablespoons of the grease in the skillet, and then add the onion, celery, and red bell pepper, and sauté for 5-7 minutes or until softened and lightly browned.
- Stir in the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, then transfer the skillet mixture to your slow cooker.
- Add the cooked bacon and sausage to the slow cooker, along with the chicken broth, tomato sauce, lentils, oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours.
- Season with salt & pepper as needed. If desired, use an immersion blender to blend some of the soup.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Buy bulk Italian sausage meat or take it out of the casings if using whole sausages.
- 6 cups chicken broth is one and a half 32 oz. cartons.
- Stovetop: do the sautéing steps in a large soup pot or Dutch oven, then simmer the soup for about an hour or until the lentils are cooked. You may need to add more liquid if needed.
Nutrition Information
Calories
572kcal
(29%)
Carbohydrates
39g
(13%)
Protein
29g
(58%)
Fat
34g
(52%)
Saturated Fat
12g
(60%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
5g
Monounsaturated Fat
15g
Trans Fat
0.03g
Cholesterol
77mg
(26%)
Sodium
1923mg
(80%)
Potassium
1061mg
(30%)
Fiber
17g
(68%)
Sugar
6g
(12%)
Vitamin A
1047IU
(21%)
Vitamin C
36mg
(40%)
Calcium
78mg
(8%)
Iron
6mg
(33%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 572
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 572kcal | 29% |
| Carbohydrates | 39g | 13% |
| Protein | 29g | 58% |
| Fat | 34g | 52% |
| Saturated Fat | 12g | 60% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 5g | 29% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 15g | 75% |
| Trans Fat | 0.03g | 2% |
| Cholesterol | 77mg | 26% |
| Sodium | 1923mg | 80% |
| Potassium | 1061mg | 23% |
| Fiber | 17g | 68% |
| Sugar | 6g | 12% |
| Vitamin A | 1047IU | 21% |
| Vitamin C | 36mg | 40% |
| Calcium | 78mg | 8% |
| Iron | 6mg | 33% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.