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    Home ยป Recipes ยป Main Dish

    Sausage and Lentils Casserole

    Published: Apr 30, 2023 ยท Updated: Apr 30, 2023 ยท Post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    bowl of sausage and lentils on wooden table with text overlay that reads family favorite, budget friendly, gluten free sausage and lentils.

    Sausage and Lentils Casserole is a spicy, satisfying, and incredibly delicious one-pot stew that is great for leftovers.

    blue pot full of sausage and lentils with kale and veggies being stirred by a blue spoon.
    • About Sausage and Lentils
      • Ingredients
        • Recipe Cost
    • How to Make Sausage and Lentils Casserole
    • Recipe Tips
      • Variations
        • Ingredient Options
        • Alternative Prep & Cooking
        • How to Make Allergy Friendly
        • How to Fix a Mistake
      • Make Ahead Ideas
      • Storage Suggestions
    • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Nutrition Benefits
      • What to Serve with Sausage and Lentils

    About Sausage and Lentils

    This sausage and lentils recipe is one I think about regularly.

    In fact, if I had to pick my favorite recipes from the 700+ options on my blog, this would make the top 10!

    The sausage and jalapeño add a spicy hint, while the veggies and lentils mellow out the flavor. Lemon juice at the end really brightens the dish, so I highly recommend it.

    This Sausage and Lentils Casserole will become a new favorite dinner.

    Spicy, tasty, and incredibly satisfying thanks to all the fiber from the lentils and veggies. There's just enough sausage to give that delicious sausage flavor but not too much.

    It's simple enough to make this recipe: brown the sausage, sauté the veggies, add your broth & lentils, and simmer for a little bit.

    When the broth has all but absorbed, stir in the kale and cooked sausage. And yum!

    This dish is filling and flavorful.

    Plus, it gets even better as it sits in your fridge, so it's great for making ahead of time or for leftovers. Luckily, it also freezes well.

    celery stick, two carrots, garlic, package of sausage, parsley, bowl of salt, cup of water, bowl of lentils, kale, lemon, jalapeno, bay leaf, onion.

    Ingredients

    Sausage: I like using the link sausage, but ground sausage will work as well. I typically buy chicken sausage because it isn't as rich, but you can certainly use pork sausage. A flavored sausage will also be fine; I like the andouille chicken sausage.

    Veggies: The veggies used (other than kale) are onions, carrots, and celery. Any kind of onion is fine, and you can substitute one of the veggies for a bell pepper if desired. Honestly, you don't really taste any of these veggies because they kind of melt into the sauce.

    Seasoning: Garlic, jalapeño, a bay leaf, and salt are all you need to season this sausage and lentils casserole. Garlic powder and red pepper flakes can be used in their place.

    I'm a big fan of bay leaves because it adds a layer that you can't really find in other spices, but you can skip it if needed. You can also add fresh parsley or cilantro at the end, but that's completely optional.

    Kale: Admittedly, kale isn't my favorite. I like to use lacinato (also known as dinosaur kale or Tuscan kale) because it has a less intense kale flavor.

    However, you can use any type of kale because the sausage, other veggies, and jalapeño give this a ton of flavor that the kale flavor isn't very strong. Another option is to use another type of fresh green that you like (ex: spinach or collard greens).

    Lentils: I prefer using green lentils since they hold up a little better than red lentils. If you only have red lentils, they will work. But you might want to be cautious not to cook this for too long or your lentils will possibly have a mushy texture.

    Broth: Any broth (vegetable, beef, or chicken) is fine. Water is another suitable option.

    Lemon: I love the fresh lemon at the end, but when I made this for my family, my niece preferred it without lemon; totally up to you.

    Recipe Cost

    • sausage 8 ounces: $3.36
    • onion 1 medium: $0.50
    • carrots 1 large: $0.20
    • celery 2 stalks: $0.28
    • jalapeño 1 small: $0.20
    • garlic 2 cloves: $0.12
    • salt ยผ teaspoon: $0.01
    • broth 4 cups: $2.14
    • lentils 1 ยฝ cups: $1.47
    • bay leaf 1: $0.10
    • kale 4 cups: $0.43
    • lemon juice 2 tablespoons: $0.25

    TOTAL COST: $9.06 or $2.27/serving (Based on San Diego grocery stores 2023)

    Note this is not the recipe; it's simply to show the cost breakdown of ingredients. Be sure to scroll down to the full recipe to see the specific ingredients and directions.

    six photo collage with sausage cooking in blue dutch oven, veggies sauteing in blue pot, jalapenos and garlic added to pot, lentils and water added to pot, lentils in pot after cooking, kale and sausage in pot of lentils.

    How to Make Sausage and Lentils Casserole

    Time needed: 55 minutes

    Preparing Lentils with Sausage and Kale is very simple and made in one pot.

    1. Brown the sausage in the pot.

      Remove and set aside. If there is excess grease, wipe some out. No need to scrape out any bits of sausage that are on the bottom of the pot. This will give it flavor.

    2. Sauté the veggies in the pot.

    3. Add the garlic and jalapeño.

      Stir for one minute.

    4. Stir in lentils, salt, bay leaf, and broth.

      Simmer until most of the liquid absorbs.

    5. Add kale and cooked sausage.

    6. Stir and cook until kale wilts.

      Serve with fresh parsley and/or lemon juice if desired. Enjoy!blue pot with cooked lentils, kale, and sausage being stirred with a black spoon.

    Recipe Tips

    Variations

    Ingredient Options

    Sausage: Any sausage will work. Using a flavored sausage will alter the flavor.

    Jalapeño: Use red pepper flakes in place of the jalapeño if needed. Start with ยฝ teaspoon and add more if desired.

    Garlic: Fresh garlic is preferred, but garlic powder is fine. Use ยฝ teaspoon garlic powder in place of the fresh.

    Lemon: Lime juice, white wine vinegar, or red wine vinegar can all be added in place of lemon juice.

    Alternative Prep & Cooking

    If you want this to be more like a stew, add an extra 3 cups of water or broth.

    How to Make Allergy Friendly

    This lentil and sausage recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, nut-free, and egg-free (make sure the sausage you buy is free of these ingredients if needed).

    green pot with lentils, broth, and veggies cooking on a gas stove.

    How to Fix a Mistake

    Lacking flavor: A squeeze of lemon or lime juice really enhances the flavor. Hot sauce is another great addition. White wine vinegar and red wine vinegar are great as well.

    Too soupy: Simmer for a little longer until more liquid evaporates. It will slightly thicken as it cools.

    Too thick: Add extra water or broth in ยผ cup increments, stirring well with each addition. Once it reaches your desired consistency, let simmer for 5 minutes to warm through.

    Make Ahead Ideas

    This is great to make ahead of time because it's similar to a stew or soup where the longer it has time to sit together, the better it gets. Prepare as directed and reheat when ready to enjoy.

    Storage Suggestions

    Keep this in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days or up to 4 weeks in the freezer.

    green pot with cooked lentils, sausage, kale, and carrots on a stovetop.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What tastes good with lentils?

    There are many ingredients and spices that work well with lentils. Onions, carrots, bell peppers, celery, and garlic are all delicious additions to lentils.

    Do green lentils need to be soaked?

    Green lentils do not need to be soaked before cooking. In this sausage and lentils recipe, the lentils are cooked with veggies and broth.

    What meat goes with lentils?

    Sausage, pork, chicken, beef, turkey, and tofu all go well with lentils. In this recipe, sausage and lentils pair perfectly together because the sausage infuses the lentils with its flavor.white counter with a white bowl full of lentils and sausage.

    Nutrition Benefits

    This Lentils with Sausage and Kale dish is delicious and full of nutrients. One serving (about 1.75 cups) provides 252% RDA of vitamin A, 109% RDA of vitamin C, 39% RDA of iron, 35% RDA of potassium, and 26% RDA of calcium.

    The lentils give you a hefty dose of fiber for over 100% of the RDA of fiber in each serving.

    Plus, by combining lentils with sausage, you get a substantial serving of protein to keep you full and satisfied.

    One of my favorite parts of this lentil sausage stew dish is that it has tons of vegetables, like kale, onions, and garlic, giving this dish antioxidants and phytochemicals that help you feel good from the inside out.

    wooden table with white bowl of sausage lentil casserole with kale.

    What to Serve with Sausage and Lentils

    This is really a complete meal in one thanks to the copious amount of veggies. It's quite filling, but if you feel like it needs a side, you can serve it with a slice of bread or cornbread.

    Final thoughts:

    Ever find a recipe and think "That looks ok..." but then it turns out AMAZING?

    This is that sausage and lentils casserole recipe. Trying to find a use for the leftover sausage in my fridge to pair with the random pantry ingredients I have (lentils or beans or something like that), I found this recipe from Serious Eats. And whew am I glad I tried it!

    The fact that it's made in one pot really sold me because cooking everything in one pot makes life much easier. And then this lentil sausage kale dish turned out to be absolutely perfect. HIGHLY recommend!

    white bowl with sausage and lentils casserole topped with parsley surrounded by fresh garlic, lemon, carrots, celery, kale, and dried lentils.

    MORE LENTIL RECIPES YOU'LL LOVE:

    • Lentil Chili
    • Instant Pot Lentil Curry
    • Roasted Vegetable Lentil Salad
    • Salsa Lentil Soup
    • Caprese Lentil Salad
    wooden table with white bowl of sausage lentil casserole with kale.

    Sausage and Lentils Casserole

    Sausage and Lentils with kale is a spicy, satisfying, and incredibly delicious one-pot casserole or stew that is great for leftovers.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Rate
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 45 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 55 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4
    Author: Meme
    Total Cost: $9.06 or $2.27/serving

    Ingredients

    • 8 ounces sausage sliced
    • 1 ยผ cup onions diced (1 medium)
    • 1 cup carrots diced (1 large)
    • 1 cup celery diced (2 stalks)
    • 2 tablespoons jalapeño minced (1 small)
    • 2 teaspoons garlic minced (2 cloves)
    • ยผ teaspoon salt
    • 4 cups no salt added chicken broth or water
    • 1 ยฝ cups lentils rinsed & sorted
    • 1 bay leaf
    • 4 cups kale chopped (โ…“ bunch)
    • 2 tablespoons lemon juice optional (ยฝ lemon)
    • 2 tablespoons parsley optional

    Instructions

    • Heat a pot or dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add sausage and cook for about 5-7 minutes until browned. Flip and brown the other side. Transfer to a plate, and set aside.
    • Add diced onions, carrots, and celery to the pot. Sauté veggies until softened for about 5 minutes.
    • Stir in jalapeño and garlic, and sauté for 1 minute.
    • Add salt, chicken broth, lentils, and bay leaf. Stir well. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to simmer, and simmer for 30 minutes.
    • When almost all of the liquid has absorbed and the lentils are softened, stir in kale & reserved sausage. Cook for about 5 minutes until kale wilts and the liquid has been mostly absorbed.
    • Remove bay leaf and stir in lemon juice. Serve with parsley and extra lemon if desired.

    Notes

    *If you want this to be more like a stew, add an extra 3 cups of water or broth.
    *Lemon and parsley are great additions for serving, but they are completely optional.
    *Lime juice, white wine vinegar, or red wine vinegar can be used in place of the lemon juice.
    *Makes about 7 cups total.

    What to Use in This Recipe

    red spoon
    Spoon
    Dutch Oven
    Did you try this recipe?Be sure to leave a comment & recipe rating below. Bonus points for tagging @memeinge & #livingwellkitchen on Instagram! THANK YOU! xo

    This post was originally published on April 20, 2016. The text, recipe, and photos have been updated.

    Meme


    Sausage and Lentils Casserole Nutrition Facts

    Nutrition Facts
    Sausage and Lentils Casserole
    Serving Size
     
    1.75 cup
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    435
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    10
    g
    15
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    2
    g
    13
    %
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    0.2
    g
    Cholesterol
     
    40
    mg
    13
    %
    Sodium
     
    823
    mg
    36
    %
    Potassium
     
    1211
    mg
    35
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    59
    g
    20
    %
    Fiber
     
    27
    g
    113
    %
    Sugar
     
    7
    g
    8
    %
    Protein
     
    31
    g
    62
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    12623
    IU
    252
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    90
    mg
    109
    %
    Calcium
     
    257
    mg
    26
    %
    Iron
     
    7
    mg
    39
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    How many calories in a bowl of lentils and sausage?

    There are 435 calories in a 1.75-cup serving of sausage and lentils.

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    Comments

    1. Jen @ Pretty Little Grub says

      April 21, 2016 at 9:10 am

      This recipe is SO up my alley, I can't wait to try it.

      Reply
    2. Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

      April 26, 2016 at 3:05 pm

      Fabulous! I have so much chicken sausage in the freezer with nothing to do with it!

      Reply
    3. Anne Heppd says

      February 01, 2023 at 3:50 pm

      5 stars
      Very satisfying winter meal.

      Reply
      • Meme says

        February 01, 2023 at 8:17 pm

        YAY! I'm so glad you enjoyed it ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply

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    Meme (a brunette female) is holding umbrella and spinning around in front of the Eiffel Tower wearing a denim jacket, skirt, and blue shoesHi, I'm Meme, a thirty-something registered dietitian nutritionist from Alabama living in San Diego. Here to help you enjoy food, feel better in your body at any size, and live free of diets & shame.
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