Sausage and lentil stew

Name: Sausage and lentil stew
Prep time: 140 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 180 min
Yield: 4 servings

Posted: 12/01/2026Updated: 12/01/2026

Sausages with tender brown lentils, simmered in a rich, flavourful broth infused with aromatic herbs and spices.

Serve with crusty bread to soak up the stew.

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Active prep: 20 minutesPassive prep: 2 hoursActive cooking: 10 minutesPassive cooking: 30 minutes

Ingredients

Adjust servingsServings

10 Sausages
1 medium Brown onion, finely diced
1 large Carrot, finely diced
2 Celery stalks, finely diced
3 cloves Garlic, minced
300 grams Brown lentils
400 grams Canned plum tomatoes
1.2 litres Chicken or vegetable stock
1 tablespoon Dried thyme
1 tablespoon Dried oregano
2 Bay leaves
100 grams Spinach, roughly chopped
1 tablespoon Tomato purée
1 handful Fresh parsley, chopped
Parmesan
2 teaspoons Balsamic vinegar (optional)
1 tablespoon Butter
1 tablespoon Olive oil
Salt, to taste
Ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

Rinse the lentils thoroughly and soak them for at least 2 hours (overnight is best).
Heat the butter and olive oil in a pot over medium heat, and add the diced onion, carrot, and celery. Cook for 8–10 minutes until softened.
Add the minced garlic and cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
Stir in the tomato purée and cook for another 1-2 minutes, followed by the rinsed lentils.
Add the plum tomatoes (breaking them down), then pour in the stock.
Season with the thyme, oregano, bay leaves, salt, and black pepper.
Bring to a boil before reducing the heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer for 25–30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the lentils are tender.
While the stew simmers, pan-fry the sausages until cooked through. Slice them when done.
During the last 5 minutes of simmering, stir in the chopped spinach.
Just before serving, stir in the balsamic vinegar.
Serve the stew topped with sliced sausages, fresh parsley, and grated Parmesan.

Video tutorial

Helpful notes

Cooking tips

Rinsing and soaking the lentils ensures they are clean from any impurities and debris, improves their texture, enhances their flavour, and makes cooking easier. Un-soaked brown lentils can take up to 35 minutes to soften, whereas lentils soaked for at least 2 hours can take up to 25 minutes.
Add the spinach during the last 5 minutes of cooking to keep it vibrant and tender. Stir in fresh herbs like parsley before serving to pronounce their freshness.

Alternative ingredients

Use green lentils as a 1:1 substitution for the brown lentils. Green lentils offer a firmer texture and a more pronounced, slightly peppery, robust flavour instead of the earthy and mild flavour of brown lentils. If using green lentils simmer for an extra 10 minutes.
Use other greens such kale or chard instead of spinach or alongside for additional nutrients.
A small spoonful of Greek yoghurt for each serving can add brightness to the hearty stew.

Storage instructions

Allow to cool completely before storing. If possible, store the cooked sausages separately to the stew.

Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Freezer: You can freeze for up to 3 months in an airtight container.

Re-heating instructions

If re-heating from frozen, ensure it has fully defrosted whether that is overnight in the fridge out in the microwave on the defrost setting. For the best results, cook sausages when needed instead of re-heating in the stew.

Stove: Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it's hot throughout. This method helps maintain the texture and flavour better than a microwave. Add a little water if necessary to loosen the stew.

Microwave: For a quick re-heat, heat on medium power. Stir occasionally to ensure even heating throughout.

Nutrition and dietary facts

Gluten-free

Per serving:Calories: 645kcal (29%), Protein: 39g (65%), Fat: 32.1g (40%), Saturated fat: 9.8g (65%), Carbohydrates: 45g (16%), Sugars: 8.4g (34%), Fibre: 16g (53%)

Note: The nutritional information provided for this recipe is an estimate based on ingredients and cooking instructions as described - it is intended for informational purposes only.