Warm up with a bowl of our Spicy Sausage Lentil Soup, a perfect fusion of hot Italian sausage, tender lentils, juicy ham, and vibrant veggies that's sure to satisfy.
In a large stockpot or Dutch oven set over medium-low heat, sauté 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, breaking it into bits as it cooks. Drain the grease.
Add the chopped ham, tomatoes, water, chicken broth, and 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 into about ¼" cubes. I prefer getting one thick slice from the deli counter or using up leftover ham from holidays.STORE the sausage and lentil soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To FREEZE, simply portion it into freezer-safe containers and store it for up to 4-6 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight when ready to use.REHEAT the soup on the stovetop over medium heat until hot, stirring occasionally. If it's too thick, add a little water or broth to adjust the consistency. You can also reheat in the microwave until everything has warmed through.