Sausage and Lentil Soup (Slow Cooker)

closeup of a slow cooker with sausage and lentil soup and a ladle

5 from 7 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 Time15

Cook Time4

Total Time4 15

Course: Soup

Cuisine: American

Keyword: crockpot sausage and lentil soup, slow cooker sausage and lentil soup

Servings:

Author: Natasha Bull

Ingredients

6 strips bacon cut into small pieces
16 ounces Italian sausage
1 medium onion chopped finely
2 sticks 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.

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