Grandma’s Lentils and Sausage Soup

There’s something deeply comforting about starting the New Year with a pot of sausage and lentil soup simmering on the stove.

This recipe has been made in my family for generations, passed down from my grandmother, and cooked every year as a symbol of good luck, prosperity, and abundance.

Lentils have long been associated with wealth and success in the New Year, making this hearty soup not just delicious, but meaningful too.

This sausage and lentil soup recipe is rustic, nourishing, and endlessly customizable. Whether you prefer sweet or hot Italian sausage, a mild broth or a spicy kick, or extra vegetables packed into every spoonful, this soup adapts beautifully to your taste.

It’s cozy enough for winter nights, simple enough for beginners, and satisfying enough to serve as a complete meal.

Best of all, it tastes even better the next day—making it perfect for New Year’s gatherings and leftovers.

Why You’ll Love This Sausage and Lentil Soup Recipe

• A meaningful New Year’s tradition believed to bring luck and prosperity
•  Hearty and filling with protein-rich lentils and savory sausage
•  Easy to make with simple pantry ingredients 
•  Customizable for spice level, vegetables, and add-ins 
•  Budget-friendly and great for feeding a crowd 
•  Perfect for meal prep and freezer-friendly

Why Lentil Soup Is Made for New Year’s Day

• Lentils resemble coins, symbolizing wealth and financial prosperity
• A warm, nourishing meal to start the year with comfort and intention 
•  Represents abundance, health, and good fortune
•  Easy to make ahead, perfect for family gatherings 
• A humble, grounding dish to begin the year simply and gratefully

Additions and Mix-in Suggestions for this Soup

• green beans
• chickpeas
• peas
• mixed frozen vegetables
• kale
• escarole
• curly cabbage sliced fine
• pinto beans
• black beans
• 15 dried beans cooked
• not a bean lover? use another vegetable or add barley
• use any meats IE boneless beef, boneless pork, leftover chicken or turkey, or any parts of the chicken (raw or cooked to make the broth)
• Add pasta: Small shapes like ditalini, orzo, or elbows make the soup extra hearty.
•  Add rice: White rice, brown rice, or arborio can be stirred in for a thicker, stew-like texture.
• Vegetable swaps: Carrots, celery, onions, spinach, kale, zucchini, or bell peppers all work well.
• Make it lighter: Use chicken sausage or turkey sausage.
• Make it vegetarian: Skip the sausage and use vegetable broth with extra herbs and spices.

Tips for Making the Best Lentil Soup

1. Choose your sausage wisely: Sweet Italian sausage keeps it mild and comforting, while hot sausage adds bold flavor and heat.
2. Adjust the spice level: Red pepper flakes let you control the heat—add a pinch or go bold.
3. Don’t overcook the lentils: They should be tender but not mushy.
4. Build flavor slowly: Sauté the sausage and vegetables first for a rich, savory base.
5. Finish with freshness: A drizzle of olive oil, fresh herbs, or grated Pecorino Romano cheese or Parmesan freshly grated will brighten the soup beautifully.

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Sausage and lentil soup Lentil soup recipe, New Year’s lentil soup, Sausage lentil soup recipe

soup recipes, lentil recipes, New Year’s Day recipes

Italian, American

Yield: 15

Author: Claudia Lamascolo

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Grandma’s Lentils and Sausage Soup

This recipe has been made in my family for generations, passed down from my grandmother, and cooked every year as a symbol of good luck, prosperity, and abundance

Prep time: 15 MinCook time: 1 HourTotal time: 1 H & 15 M

Ingredients

• 1 pound sweet or hot Italian sausage (You can also use Italian turkey sausage)
• 1 small onion, chopped fine
• 1 stalk celery, chopped fine
• 2 large carrots, minced fine,
• 1 small zucchini, minced fine
• 6 cups chicken broth 2 (14 1/2 ounce) cans
• diced tomatoes, undrained
• 2-3 garlic cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups dry lentils
• All to taste: black pepper, red pepper flakes, fresh basil, dried or fresh oregano, dried or fresh parsley
• Optional: cooked rice or small cooked baby pasta (pastina)
• Garnish Optional: Pecorino Romano grated cheese

Instructions

1. Boil the lentils according to the package instructions, drain, and set aside.
2. In a Dutch oven, saute the raw sausage with onion and garlic.
3. In a food processor, add the vegetables and mince (or mince by hand)
4. Add the chicken broth, spices, tomatoes, and vegetables to the cooked sausage to the Dutch oven.
5. Salt and pepper to taste.
6. Simmer until vegetables are soft and lentils are also not al dente, around 1 hour.

Notes

Tips for Making the Best Lentil Soup

1. Choose your sausage wisely: Sweet Italian sausage keeps it mild and comforting, while hot sausage adds bold flavor and heat.
2. Adjust the spice level: Red pepper flakes let you control the heat—add a pinch or go bold.
3. Don’t overcook the lentils: They should be tender but not mushy.
4. Build flavor slowly: Sauté the sausage and vegetables first for a rich, savory base.
5. Finish with freshness: A drizzle of olive oil, fresh herbs, or grated Pecorino Romano cheese or Parmesan freshly grated will brighten the soup beautifully

Additions and Mix-in Suggestions for this Soup

• green beans
• chickpeas
• peas
• mixed frozen vegetables
• kale
• escarole
• curly cabbage sliced fine
• pinto beans
• black beans
• 15 dried beans cooked
• not a bean lover? use another vegetable or add barley
• use any meats IE boneless beef, boneless pork, leftover chicken or turkey, or any parts of the chicken (raw or cooked to make the broth)
• Add pasta: Small shapes like ditalini, orzo, or elbows make the soup extra hearty.
•  Add rice: White rice, brown rice, or arborio can be stirred in for a thicker, stew-like texture.
• Vegetable swaps: Carrots, celery, onions, spinach, kale, zucchini, or bell peppers all work well.
• Make it lighter: Use chicken sausage or turkey sausage.
• Make it vegetarian: Skip the sausage and use vegetable broth with extra herbs and spices.

Nutrition Facts

Sodium (milligrams)

771 mg

Cholesterol (grams)

27 mg

The default measuring system for this website is US Customary. Unit conversions are provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. While we strive to provide accurate unit conversions, please be aware that there may be some discrepancies.

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