You’ve Never Tried a Lentil and Sausage Casserole Like This

By
Andrea Z
-
Casserole in a serving dish
Photo by micheile henderson on Unsplash

Embrace the cozy warmth of a hearty casserole with this flavorful lentil and sausage casserole recipe. Combining the earthy richness of lentils with the savory goodness of sausage and a medley of aromatic herbs and spices, this comforting dish is perfect for chilly nights or family gatherings. Let’s dive into the recipe and discover how to create this hearty and flavorful dish.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup of dried green or brown lentils, rinsed and drained
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 2 carrots, diced
  • 2 stalks celery, diced
  • 8 ounces of sausage, sliced (such as Italian sausage or chorizo)
  • 1 tin of diced tomatoes
  • 2 cups of vegetable broth
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Optional toppings:

  • Chopped fresh parsley
  • Grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a casserole dish with cooking spray or olive oil. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.
  2. Add the minced garlic, diced carrots, and diced celery to the skillet, and cook for another 5 minutes, or until the vegetables begin to soften. Push the vegetables to one side of the skillet and add the sliced sausage. Cook the sausage until it’s browned on all sides, about 5 minutes.
  3. Stir in the rinsed and drained lentils, diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, dried thyme, dried oregano, and smoked paprika. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  4. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low and let it cook for about 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the lentils are tender and the sauce has thickened. Transfer the lentil and sausage mixture to the prepared casserole dish, spreading it out into an even layer.
  5. Cover the casserole dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the casserole is hot and bubbly. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden brown.
  6. Serve the casserole hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Enjoy this hearty and flavorful casserole as a comforting meal that’s sure to warm you up from the inside out.