YumVerseEats
Cajun Comfort
Cajun Sausage and Lentil Soup
A hearty Cajun sausage and lentil soup with smoky sausage, the trinity, and tender brown lentils.
RECIPE AT A GLANCE
15
min
Active Time
45
min
Total Time
6
SERVINGS
Stovetop
METHOD
Why It Works
Lentils thicken the soup as they cook, so it turns hearty without any cream. Browning the sausage first seasons the whole pot.
Ingredients
Protein
• 12 oz smoked sausage, sliced
Sauce
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can diced tomatoes, 14.5 oz
• 7 cups low-sodium chicken broth
Vegetables
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 2 carrots, diced
Pasta & Grains
• 1½ cups brown lentils, rinsed
Seasoning
• 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
Topping
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
How to Make It
1
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high. Brown the sausage, then transfer to a plate.
2
Add onion, celery, bell pepper, and carrots. Cook 5 minutes, then stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds.
3
Add lentils, tomatoes, broth, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, and thyme. Bring to a boil.
4
Reduce the heat and simmer 25 to 30 minutes until lentils are tender.
5
Stir the sausage back in and warm through.
6
Stir in parsley and serve.
How to Make It
1
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high. Brown the sausage, then transfer to a plate.
2
Add onion, celery, bell pepper, and carrots. Cook 5 minutes, then stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds.
3
Add lentils, tomatoes, broth, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, and thyme. Bring to a boil.
4
Reduce the heat and simmer 25 to 30 minutes until lentils are tender.
5
Stir the sausage back in and warm through.
6
Stir in parsley and serve.
Ingredients
Protein
• 12 oz smoked sausage, sliced
Sauce
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can diced tomatoes, 14.5 oz
• 7 cups low-sodium chicken broth
Vegetables
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 2 carrots, diced
Pasta & Grains
• 1½ cups brown lentils, rinsed
Seasoning
• 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
Topping
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Storage & Reheat
Store:
Store up to 4 days or freeze up to 2 months.
Reheat:
Reheat on the stovetop, loosening with broth.
Swaps
No chicken broth? Use the same amount of vegetable broth.
Avo's Tip
Brown the sausage well before adding the veg — those bits flavor the entire pot.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before you start cooking.
What lentils should I use?
Brown or green lentils hold their shape; red lentils break down into a thicker soup.
Do lentils need soaking?
No. They cook straight in the pot in about 25 minutes.
Can I make it vegetarian?
Skip the sausage, add extra smoked paprika, and use vegetable broth.
Quick Fixes
Too thick: add more broth.
Lentils still firm: simmer a few minutes longer.
Want brightness: finish with a squeeze of lemon.
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