Imagine a soup so hearty and delicious that it transforms an ordinary evening into a culinary celebration! This Instant Pot Sausage and Lentil Soup is not just a meal; it's a warm hug in a bowl that combines the robust flavors of Italian sausage with the earthy richness of lentils. Perfect for those chilly nights when you crave something substantial yet incredibly easy to prepare, this one-pot wonder will become your new go-to comfort food that impresses family and friends with minimal effort.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb Italian sausage
- 1 cup lentils, rinsed
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 tsp oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Remove Italian sausage from casings and break into small pieces. Select the Sauté function on the Instant Pot and set to medium heat.
- Add sausage to the pot and cook for 5-6 minutes, breaking it into crumbles and browning until no pink remains. Transfer cooked sausage to a plate and set aside.
- In the same Instant Pot, add chopped onions, diced carrots, and celery. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until vegetables begin to soften and become fragrant.
- Add rinsed lentils, browned sausage, chicken broth, oregano, salt, and pepper to the pot. Stir ingredients to combine thoroughly.
- Close the Instant Pot lid, set the valve to sealing position, and select Manual/Pressure Cook mode. Cook on high pressure for 15 minutes.
- Once cooking completes, allow natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then carefully do a quick release for any remaining pressure.
- Open lid, stir soup, and adjust seasoning if needed. Let sit for 5 minutes to allow soup to thicken slightly before serving.
- Ladle into bowls and optionally garnish with fresh parsley or grated Parmesan cheese. Serve hot.
Tips
- For extra flavor, use spicy Italian sausage to add a kick to your soup.
- Always rinse lentils before cooking to remove any debris and prevent a gritty texture.
- Don't skip browning the sausage - this step develops deep, rich flavors that make the soup extraordinary.
- If you prefer a thicker soup, you can mash some of the lentils against the side of the pot after cooking.
- Fresh herbs like parsley or thyme can elevate the final presentation and add a burst of freshness.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container - this soup often tastes even better the next day as flavors continue to meld.
- For a lighter version, you can use turkey sausage instead of traditional Italian sausage.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 376kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 50mg
