Hearty Hungarian Sausage and Lentil Stoup
This delicious and hearty Hungarian Sausage and Lentil Stoup is a meal that strikes the perfect balance between soup and stew. Inspired by Rachael Ray's 30 Minute Meals, this stoup offers warmth and comfort in every bowl. With its rich flavors stemming from spicy Italian sausage and the earthiness of lentils, it's a dish that can easily be adapted to your taste preferences. Swap in sweet sausage for a milder flavor or substitute the lentils with split peas for a unique twist. You can even throw in various greens like kale, chard, or broccoli for additional nutrition. The two-pot method gives this dish a long-simmered taste in less than half an hour, and it freezes beautifully for future meals. Pair it with crusty bread for a truly satisfying dining experience.
N/A
Servings
212
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
Extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons (none)
Bulk hot Italian sausage
1 1/2 pounds (remove from casing)
Garlic cloves
3 (chopped)
Medium onion
1 (chopped)
Portabella mushrooms
2 (gills scraped out and chopped)
Carrot
1 cup (shredded)
Lentils
1 cup (rinsed)
Large starchy potato
1 (peeled and chopped)
Salt
to taste (none)
Black pepper
to taste (none)
Bay leaf
1 (none)
Smoked paprika
2 teaspoons (or substitute a mix of spices)
Fresh rosemary
3 sprigs (intact on stems)
Chopped fire-roasted tomatoes
1 (14-ounce) can (none)
Chicken stock
6 cups (none)
Frozen spinach
1 (10-ounce) box (thawed and drained)
Instructions
1
In a medium-sized pot, combine the lentils and chicken stock. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook until tender, about 20-25 minutes.
2
While the lentils are cooking, heat the extra virgin olive oil in a separate large pot over medium heat. Add the bulk hot Italian sausage and sauté until browned, about 5-7 minutes.
3
Incorporate the chopped garlic, onion, and portabella mushrooms into the sausage. Cook for an additional 3-5 minutes until the vegetables are softened and fragrant, stirring occasionally.
4
Add the shredded carrots, pre-cooked lentils with their stock, chopped potato, bay leaf, smoked paprika (or spice substitute), salt, and pepper to the sausage pot. Toss in the fresh rosemary sprigs intact, so they can infuse flavor as they cook.
5
Stir in the diced tomatoes (with their juices), and bring the mixture to a rolling boil. Reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
6
Once simmered, stir in the thawed and drained spinach, ensuring it's evenly incorporated. Remove and discard the rosemary stems.
7
Let the stoup sit off the heat for about 5 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to develop even further. Serve warm with hearty bread.
Nutrition Information
9
Fat
22
Carbs
16
Protein
5
Fiber
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a stoup?
A stoup is a hearty dish that strikes the perfect balance between a soup and a stew, popularized by Rachael Ray.
How long does it take to cook the lentils?
The lentils should be simmered in chicken stock until tender, which takes approximately 20-25 minutes.
Can I substitute the hot Italian sausage?
Yes, you can swap the spicy Italian sausage for sweet sausage if you prefer a milder flavor profile.
What can I use instead of lentils?
Lentils can be substituted with split peas for a unique twist on this hearty recipe.
Is this Hungarian Sausage and Lentil Stoup freezer-friendly?
Yes, this dish freezes beautifully, making it an excellent option for future meals and meal planning.
How many calories are in a serving?
Each serving contains approximately 212 calories.
What is the protein content of this stoup?
This recipe provides 16 grams of protein per serving.
How do I prepare the portabella mushrooms?
You should scrape out the gills and then chop the mushrooms before adding them to the pot.
Can I add extra greens to this recipe?
Absolutely. You can include various greens like kale, chard, or broccoli for additional nutrition.
What is the benefit of the two-pot method?
The two-pot method allows the dish to achieve a long-simmered taste in less than 30 minutes.
Should I remove the rosemary before serving?
Yes, the rosemary sprigs should be kept intact during cooking to infuse flavor and then the stems should be discarded before serving.
What type of potatoes should I use?
The recipe calls for one large starchy potato, peeled and chopped.
What spices provide the Hungarian flavor?
Smoked paprika is the key spice used to provide the signature Hungarian flavor profile.
How much fat is in this dish?
There are 9 grams of fat per serving in this stoup.
What kind of tomatoes are best for this recipe?
The recipe recommends using one 14-ounce can of chopped fire-roasted tomatoes with their juices.
How much fiber does this stoup contain?
Each serving contains 5 grams of fiber.
What is the carbohydrate count per serving?
There are 22 grams of carbohydrates in each serving.
Do I need to drain the spinach?
Yes, the 10-ounce box of frozen spinach should be thawed and drained before being stirred into the stoup.
How long should the sausage sauté?
The bulk hot Italian sausage should be sautéed for about 5-7 minutes until browned.
Can I use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock?
While the recipe specifies chicken stock, you can substitute it with vegetable stock if preferred.
What should I serve with this stoup?
This hearty meal is best paired with crusty, hearty bread for a satisfying dining experience.
Why should the stoup sit for 5 minutes after cooking?
Allowing the stoup to sit off the heat for 5 minutes allows the flavors to develop even further before serving.
What is the total number of ingredients?
This recipe requires 16 distinct ingredients.
How many garlic cloves are needed?
The recipe calls for 3 chopped garlic cloves.
Can I use fresh rosemary?
Yes, the recipe specifically calls for 3 sprigs of fresh rosemary kept intact on their stems.
Is the sausage removed from the casing?
Yes, if you are not using bulk sausage, you should remove it from the casing before cooking.
What kind of oil is used?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil.
How are the carrots prepared?
The carrots should be shredded before being added to the pot.
Is this considered a quick meal?
Yes, it is tagged as a quick meal and is inspired by 30-minute meal concepts.
Are there any specific salt and pepper measurements?
Salt and black pepper should be added to taste according to your personal preference.