A hearty and warming Sausage and Lentil Stew that is easy to adapt, veggie packed and makes use of store cupboard essentials. You can use meat or veggie/vegan sausages in this protein packed meal and it freezes really well. Sausage stew with lentils is a delicious budget friendly meal.
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Although the sausages are the star of this stew, it's the lentils that really bulk it out. Lentils are so good for that - when money is tight or when you just want pack a meal out with some veggie protein, grab a handful of lentils.
This comforting meal is super easy to adapt with whatever veggies you have on hand or what your family like. You can change up the sauce flavour, and change what you serve it with so it's different every time. Lentil and sausage stew is a real family comfort food favourite.
If you are looking for some other hearty stews to try, then why not try our comforting Slow Cooker Sausage Casserole, spicy Chipotle Black Bean Stew or warming Moroccan Chickpea Stew.
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Ingredients and Substitutions
A full ingredients list, along with US Customary and Metric measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Oil - Some olive oil to cook the vegetables in.
- Onion - Just a small brown onion. You could swap it for a couple of shallots which would give it a sweeter flavour.
- Carrot - Make sure that the carrot is very finely diced, so that it cooks at the same rate as all the other vegetables. You can add some celery too.
- Bell pepper - Any colour will work in this recipe. We like the sweeter peppers though.
- Green beans - These add some extra crunch and colour.
- Lentils - We used red lentils in this sausage and lentil casserole recipe, as that is what we had and they are quick cooking. However, you can use red, brown or green lentils. With these instructions, you can use red or brown lentils, as they take the same amount of time to cook. If you were to use green (puy) lentils, you would need to add an extra 10 minutes cooking time and you may need to add some extra stock.
- Herbs/spices - Some oregano, basil and paprika add lots of flavour. Thyme works too.
- Tomatoes - Try to use the best quality tinned tomatoes you can, as you will be able to taste the difference. Cheaper tomatoes tend to be watery.
- Tomato puree - This boosts the tomato flavour and also thickens the sauce.
- Mustard - We love a little wholegrain mustard for flavour. Dijon works too and adds a creaminess.
- Stock - To keep this vegetarian, use vegetable stock. You could use chicken stock (chicken broth) instead.
- Sausages - We used vegetarian sausages, but we have give tips for variations below.
Variations
The great thing about this sausage lentil stew is that you can use any sausages you like. Love pork and apple sausages? Love lean chicken sausages? You can use those! Want to make this vegetarian or vegan? Use your favourite meat free sausage.
We used vegetarian sausages in this (actually a mixture of 2 different brands as this was a bit of a freezer and cupboard raid dinner), as it makes a great vegetarian protein packed meal. But, you can use pork sausage, Italian sausage or any sausage you like. Just cook them according to their package instructions and they get added in at the end.
This sausage lentil casserole is such a great meal to bulk out with vegetables. Stews are always really forgiving in the sense that you can swap out ingredients for whatever you have - it's a great fridge raid meal.
We used onion, carrot, green beans and bell pepper. However, you could use mushrooms, aubergine sweet potato, broccoli and cauliflower. You could even stir in some spinach and/or kale at the end for a bit of a leafy green vegetable boost.
How to make Sausage and Lentil Stew - Step by step
- Step 1: Heat the oil in a large pan and add the vegetables. Gently cook for 5 minutes until softened.
- Step 2: Add the lentils.
- Step 3: Add the stock, tinned tomatoes, tomato puree, mustard, garlic, herbs, spices and seasoning. Stir well and gently simmer for 20 minutes, until the lentils are cooked.
- Step 4: Meanwhile, cook the sausages according to package instructions.
- Step 5: Add the cooked sausages. Mix well and serve.
Sausage and Lentil Stew Serving Suggestions
When it comes to a comforting sausage lentil stew like this, it has to be served with mashed potatoes. We have got a few recipes to keep you going! Why not try our Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes, Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes or Creamy Mashed Potatoes.
If you want potatoes, but not mashed, then we have some other recipes for you:
- Roasted New Potatoes
- Air Fryer Potato Wedges
- Easy Hasselback Potatoes
- Garlic Smashed Potatoes
- Slow Cooker Jacket Potatoes
- Cheesy Potato Bake
Sausage casserole with lentils is quite a heavy dish, so why not lighten it up with some vegetables on the side. These go perfectly with this stew: Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Buttered Leeks, Garlic Spring Greens or Roasted Tenderstem Broccoli.
Storage
Store: Allow the sausage and lentil stew to fully cool and then you can keep this in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Freeze: This stew freezes really well, which makes it great for batch cooking. Simply wait for it to cool and then portion it out into freezable containers and then it will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Defrost: Defrost in the fridge overnight.
Reheat: Allow it to fully defrost and then you can reheat it in the microwave or a frying pan until heated through.
Dannii's Top Tips
- Add a different flavour by stirring some homemade Healthy BBQ Sauce into the stew.
- If you don't have dried lentils, you can use a can of lentils instead.
- Add a kick of heat to this by either adding some cayenne at the same time as the herbs, or a sprinkle or red chilli flakes just before serving.
- This recipe freezes well and is great for batch cooking. It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- The thickness of a stew is a personal preference. This is fairly thick, however if you want it a bit more soupy, then add some extra stock.
- You could add a few shavings of Parmesan on top before serving.
- You can use red or brown lentils in this recipe, as they take the same amount of time to cook. If you were to use green (puy lentils) lentils, you would need to add an extra 10 minutes cooking time and you may need to add some extra stock.
Frequently Asked Questions
As long as you use gluten free sausages and make sure there is no cross contamination, then this can be a gluten free recipe.
Yes, you can use a can of cooked lentils, but you will only need to add them towards the end to heat through. If you add them any earlier then they will become mushy.
Yes, this can all be done in the slow cooker. Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 7.
More Lentil Recipes
If you've tried this Sausage and Lentil Stew recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
Vegetarian Sausage and Lentil Stew
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 1 Onion - small; diced
- 2 Carrot - small; peeled and diced
- 1 Red bell pepper - diced
- 100 g (0.75 cups) Green beans - diced
- 80 g (0.5 cups) Dried red lentils
- 2 Garlic clove - crushed
- 1 pinch Sea salt and ground black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon Dried oregano
- 0.5 teaspoon Dried basil
- 0.5 teaspoon Smoked paprika
- 400 g (1.75 cups) Peeled plum tomatoes - canned
- 1 tablespoon Wholegrain mustard
- 1 tablespoon Tomato puree
- 500 ml (2 cups) Vegetable stock
- 8 Vegetarian sausages
Instructions
- Cook 8 Vegetarian sausages according to the packet instructions.
- Heat 1 tablespoon Olive oil in a large pan and add 1 Onion, 2 Carrot, 1 Red bell pepper and 100 g Green beans. Gently cook for 5 minutes until softened.
- Add 80 g Dried red lentils and mix in.
- Add 500 ml Vegetable stock, 400 g Peeled plum tomatoes,1 tablespoon Tomato puree, 1 tablespoon Wholegrain mustard, 2 Garlic clove, 0.5 teaspoon Dried oregano, 0.5 teaspoon Dried basil, 0.5 teaspoon Smoked paprika and 1 pinch Sea salt and ground black pepper.
- Stir well and gently simmer for 20 minutes, until the lentils are cooked.
- Add the cooked sausages. Mix well and serve.
Recipe Tips
- You can use any sausages in this recipe, just cook them according to the packet instructions.
- If you don't have dried lentils, you can use a can of lentils instead.
- Add a kick of heat to this by either adding some cayenne at the same time as the herbs, or a sprinkle or red chilli flakes just before serving.
- This recipe freezes well and is great for batch cooking. It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- The thickness of a stew is a personal preference. This is fairly thick, however if you want it a bit more soupy, then add some extra stock.
- You could add a few shavings of Parmesan on top before serving.
- You can use red or brown lentils in this recipe, as they take the same amount of time to cook. If you were to use green (puy) lentils, you would need to add an extra 10 minutes cooking time and you may need to add some extra stock.
Nutritional Information
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The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.
Suzy says
We are full of lentils in the house and are always looking for new ways to use them! This is perfect! Love this kind of comfort food!
Shannon says
This was super tasty! My husband doesn't usually like lentils but he loved this. Will make again.
Aimee Mars says
You really can't go wrong with lentil stew because it's so good. I love your sausage version though because my husband will be happy with that addition and I'm happy with all the veggies. This is a perfect meal for now!
SHANIKA says
This Sausage and Lentil Stew was amazing! I love how easy it is to make and all that flavor in one pot!
Cookilicious says
That looks super hearty and comforting
Charla @ That Girl Cooks Healthy says
Sausage and Lentil stew is like when East meets the West. I'm a huge fan of fusion food, love it!
Jennifer Allen says
I had a bag of lentils sitting around and decided to make this recipe. It was fabulous! I wasn't sure how the flavors would work but it was amazing. Hearty, wholesome and delicious!
Kushigalu says
I am lentil lover. Thanks alot for sharing this. How delicious
Jennifer says
I was actually able to find lentils on my last trip to the store so this is perfect! Looks so filling and exactly what I need on this rainy and dreary day. Thanks!
Sophie says
Love lentils in anything. Thanks for this recipe with veggies. I will swap sausage for something vegan and make this soon.