This Spicy Sausage Lentil soup is loaded with hot Italian sausage, lentils, ham, veggies and is totally delicious!
We love soup, especially if it involves lentil, like Tuscan lentil soup, Instant Pot smoked sausage and lentil soup or easy vegetable lentil soup! They’re so hearty and delicious, just like today’s recipe for sausage lentil soup.
Carrabba’s Sausage Lentil Soup
Today’s soup happens to be a family favorite. It’s a copycat version of the spicy sausage lentil soup that we get at Carrabba’s. It is loaded with flavor from the hot Italian sausage, lentils, ham, and veggies. And loaded with healthy benefits because lentils are low in calories, rich in iron and folate and an excellent source of protein.
I’ll be honest with you, the first time I made this for our family I was pretty darn nervous. Since then, I’ve changed a few things here and there and this is the “husband approved” version of the copycat recipe. He loves it, I love it and our 2-year-old gobbles it up like there’s no tomorrow. It’s definitely a family favorite!
Plus – it’s easier than you think!
How to Make Sausage Lentil Soup
The best thing about this soup is how easy it is to prep/make and how quickly it comes together. Sure you need a handful of ingredients, but they’re relatively inexpensive and easy to find.
I like to pick up the lentils in the bulk section of our grocery store and I buy a thick slice of ham at the deli counter (that is if we don’t have leftover ham in the freezer from the holidays). The rest are items we have stocked in our pantry with the exception of the sausage.
Some recipe notes:
- To make the soup you’ll need a large pot or Dutch oven.
- When you’ve got your ingredients prepped, add the olive oil and get it nice and hot.
- Sauté the veggies until tender and then brown the sausage.
- Add the ham & tomato, then pour in the liquid ingredients. Bring to a boil, add the lentils & seasonings, simmer for 40-45 minutes.
That’s it!
And feel free to change the recipe up to your liking! You can always use regular sausage and add a pinch of Italian seasoning or herbes de Provence to it. If you want to keep things extra lean add some turkey sausage instead of pork!
Sausage Lentil Soup Storing Tips
When stored in a air-tight container in the refrigerator, this soup should be good for 3-4 days. If you want to save it longer then you will need to freeze it! Put it in a freezer-safe container. I prefer Ziploc bags that can lie flat because it saves space and defrosts easier. Keep in the freezer for up to 4-6 months.
To defrost your soup, just run the bottom of the freezer bag under hot water until it becomes loose. Then place the frozen chunks into a saucepan and continue to defrost over the lowest heat!
I guarantee everyone will love this soup! Serve it up with some crusty Italian bread and a side salad and dinner is served!
Find perfect side dishes here:
- Best Ever Cheesy Garlic Bread
- Easy Focaccia
- Cucumber Dill Salad
- Orzo Arugula Salad with Lemon Basil Vinaigrette
- Almond Bacon Brussels Sprout Salad
Print RecipeCarrabba's Sausage Lentil Soup Recipe
This soup is a copycat version of Carrabba's Spicy Sausage Lentil soup! It's loaded with hot Italian sausage, lentils, ham, veggies and is totally delicious!Pin RateServings: 6 servingsCalories: 334kcalIngredients
- 1 1/2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 yellow onion - diced
- 1 large carrot - finely grated
- 1 stalk celery - minced
- 3 cloves garlic - minced
- 1/2 lb hot Italian sausage - uncooked
- 1/3 cup ham - cubed
- 1 small tomato - diced
- 2 cup water
- 4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup dry lentils
- 1 tbsp fresh basil - minced
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley - minced
- 1 bay leaf
Instructions
- In a large stockpot or Dutch oven set over medium-low heat, saute the onion in the olive oil until tender. Add the carrot, celery and garlic, cook for 1-2 more minutes. Add the sausage and brown, braking it into bits as it cooks.
- Add the chopped ham, tomatoes, water, chicken broth, vinegar and bring the soup to a boil.
- Pour in the lentils along with the remaining seasonings/spices and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook until the lentils are tender and the liquid reduces, about 40-45 minutes. Remove the bay leaf and serve immediately.
NOTES
-You can use thick cut slices of ham and cube them in about ¼" cubes, I prefer getting one thick slice from the deli counter or using up leftover ham from holidays.RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS
Nutrition FactsCarrabba's Sausage Lentil Soup RecipeServing Size1 servingAmount per ServingCalories334% Daily Value*Fat18g28%Saturated Fat6g38%Polyunsaturated Fat2gMonounsaturated Fat9gCholesterol34mg11%Sodium436mg19%Potassium683mg20%Carbohydrates25g8%Fiber11g46%Sugar2g2%Protein19g38%Vitamin A1987IU40%Vitamin C8mg10%Calcium49mg5%Iron3mg17%* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.Did you make this recipe?Take a picture and tag @lmadesimple on Instagram or tag #LMSBakes! We can't wait to see your version!
This turned out amazing! Thanks for sharing.
What lentils do you use red or other ?
I prefer brown. Red gets too mushy (it’s better for curries) and green is a little too firm.
Just made this and I thought it was fantastic, will definitely make again!!
Thank you Kathleen! So happy to hear that 🙂
How many calories would you say is in a serving?
Just finished making this and it’s amazing! I added 2 Jalapeños for that extra spice!
Yumm! Love the added heat!
I adde,d the jalapeño too — love this recipe!
Yum! I’m always down for more heat!
What kind of spicy sausage do you use and where do you buy it from?? Thanks 🙂
I usually buy freshly ground from our local grocery store, however Jimmy Dean works well too!
Phenomenal. Thank you.
Here is the original recipe (from Rachael Ray) you’ve been meaning to share. Careful? http://www.rachaelray.com/recipe/hungarian-hot-sausage-and-lentil-stoup/
That is an entirely different recipe. This is a recipe I developed years ago as a copycat to an Italian sausage and lentil soup.
I just looked at those two recipes side by side… They are completely different flavor profiles. Â Why would you attempt to call her out on something without checking it out first? Geez.Â
Can this be done in a crock pot?
I don’t see why not!
Just made this and it is excellent. So much flavor! I used Trader Joe’s Chicken Apple Sausage instead of the hot Italian sausage and used the Trader Joe ready to use french lentils. Cut the simmering time down to 20 minutes doing it this way. I also added 4 ounces of spaghetti broken up into little pieces. Made it even heartier.
Thank you so much for this recipe. It was so good and so easy to make! Will definitely be making again and again!
Definitely 5 stars!
Fantastic and simple! I used pancetta instead of ham and homemade chicken stock. Added extra red pepper for some extra heat. I Used my Instant Pot and cooked sausage. Sautéed the onions/carrots etc in the rendered fat. Dumped everything else in and set at 25 min. Topped with some Parmesan. Tastes just like Carrabba’s.Â
This is the second time making this and the entire family LOVES it!!
Thanks Lilly!
SO good!! I left out the ham because I dont remember Carrabba’s having that? Maybe I’ll try it next time I make it.
The flavor is really spot on when comparing it to Carrabbas. Thanks!!
Thanks KC. I believe the ham is pretty small, but it’s definitely there. It’s probably been a good 5 years since I’ve had the real thing though, so maybe it changed?
Made this for a Soup Night last night, and at over 100 different soups we have made, this one stands out as a real winner. Did 5X the recipe, and did 2/3 hot sausage and 1/3 sweet to tone down the hots. Managed to save a small container for leftovers.
Do you mean 5. Times all? Â 5 cups of lentils? Â 5 times liquid?
Is this Gluten Free?
Yes it is!
Very delicious soup Natalie!! Only problem I had was that the lentils cooked much, much more quickly than anticipated. So they ended up a bit mushy.
The soup has great flavor and really packs a spicey punch.
Hi Natalie: your recipe calls for only once cup of lentils. Is that correct or did you intend on it being 1 lb. dry lentils?Â
It’s really just one cup. You could probably get away with an additional quarter cup.
Made this tonight for dinner.  Left out the ham because I’m trying to eat less meat but followed the rest of the receipe.  It was excellent!  Definately keeping this receipe.
This is a favorite in our house! I always like to add a little sour cream to it
This is a favorite! I like it with a little sour cream mixed in.
I LOVE this soup! I think i’ve made it 3-4 times already. As tomatoes out out of season i’ve used 1/2c of diced tomatoes (canned) which has worked lovely. Thank you so much!!
You are so welcome!! I am happy to hear that you liked it. Thank you!
I made a vegetarian version which came out amazing!
I left out the ham, used Field Roast Italian Sausages (a 4-pack – 12oz), and replaced the Chicken broth & water with 6 Cups of Vegetable broth (I used homemade). Sinse the Field Roast sausage isn’t spicy, I added some Cayenne pepper and upped the red pepper flakes to 1/2 tsp.
As a carnivore who LOVES this soup at Carrabba’s, I was very surpised when it had the same look and taste of the real thing!
Love that you liked it!! Thank you for sharing what you did. Sounds good!
This is a hearty soup that filled up my big boys…and that’s a difficult thing! The flavor was amazing too!
Tastes just like the restaurants! Very yummy & filling & so many delicious flavors!
This is a really great recipe. My kids beg me to make it all the time!
I am so glad they like it! Thank you 🙂
This is truly, without a doubt, the best lentil soup I have ever had. I cannot say enough about it. The left-overs were even better … if that’s possible. Make it! Thank you Natalie. 🙂
You are so welcome! I am glad to share my favs! I am so happy you like it! Thank you!
Have made this soup several timeS for the family and parties. Everyone loves It. Sometimes I sub kielbasa for the sausage. Also add 2 to 4. Cups  chopped Swiss chard including the stems to add more veggies. Add more water accordingly last 20 min. Doesn’t change the flavor of the soup.
Sounds perfect! Thank you for sharing what you did 🙂
Do you know how long this should cook in the crock pot so the lentils don’t get mushy?
I haven’t made it in the crock pot, but I am thinking, just like any other I would do, high 3-4 hours.
Very close match to Carraba’s! Delicious!
So glad you liked the soup!
I added water, no chicken stock and n hand, simmered all afternoon. Simply delicious ~ definitely will make again. Thx.
Yum! I doubled all the vegetables because I wanted to use them up, and it seemed the perfect balance.
You don’t add salt or pepper? And do you add the fresh herbs during the simmering or at the end? Thanks!
Hi Sandra, there is enough salt in the chicken broth and heat in the hot Italian sausage, that you don’t need to add salt or pepper, but you can season your own serving with salt and pepper as you like. The fresh herbs go in with the lentils.
Loved this soup, used minced turkey to save on calories. Would like to know what a serving size is please 🙂
Hi Christine, thanks for sharing your changes. This recipe makes 6 servings, but we don’t have the serving size amount.
Made this tonight and it was wonderful. Doubled the recipe and used more veggies per my liking. Thank you!
Soup was good but not substantial enough to stand alone for a meal.