Hearty Spinach, Sausage & Lentil Stew
Warm up on a chilly day with this comforting and hearty Spinach, Sausage & Lentil Stew. Packed with flavorful Italian sausage, nutritious lentils, and vibrant flowers of spinach, this dish is as nourishing as it is delicious. The sweetness of carrots complements the savory sausage, while a hint of tarragon and nutmeg adds depth to the flavor. Easy to prepare and with ingredients that are often on hand, this stew will soon become a family favorite. Perfectly paired with crusty bread or a simple salad, it’s a complete one-dish meal that promises satisfaction in every bowl.
8
Servings
300
Calories
17
Ingredients
Ingredients
Cooking spray
as needed (for greasing)
Italian sausage
1 lb (fresh, casings removed)
Yellow onion
1 large (chopped)
Garlic cloves
4 (minced)
Carrots
5 large (chopped)
Frozen chopped spinach
1 (10 3/4 ounce) box (frozen, do not defrost)
Lentils
1 (12 ounce) bag (dry)
Water
10 cups (as needed)
Beef bouillon cubes
2 (or more for stronger flavor)
White pepper
1/2 teaspoon (to taste)
Bay leaf
1 (whole)
Ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon (to taste)
Garlic salt
to taste (optional)
Nutmeg
1 pinch (freshly grated if possible)
Tarragon
1 1/2 teaspoons (dried, adjust to taste)
Oregano
1 1/2 teaspoons (dried, adjust to taste)
Brown sugar
1 tablespoon (optional)
Instructions
1
Begin by spraying a large dutch oven or stock pot with cooking spray. Heat over medium heat.
2
Add the chopped yellow onion and minced garlic. Sauté until the onions are translucent and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes.
3
Add the Italian sausage to the pot. Use a wooden spoon to break the sausage into bite-sized pieces as it browns. Cook until the sausage is no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
4
Incorporate the chopped carrots and frozen spinach into the pot, stirring well to combine with the sausage and onion mixture.
5
Pour in the lentils, water, and add the beef bouillon cubes. Stir to dissolve the bouillon.
6
Season the stew with white pepper, bay leaf, ground black pepper, garlic salt, nutmeg, tarragon, oregano, and brown sugar. Adjust the seasoning to your personal taste.
7
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and let it cook uncovered for about 1 hour, or until the lentils are tender and the flavors have melded together.
8
Once cooked, remove the bay leaf before serving. Ladle the stew into bowls and enjoy warm!
Nutrition Information
7.5g
Fat
43.75g
Carbs
10g
Protein
3.75g
Fiber
1.25g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Spinach, Sausage & Lentil Stew?
It is a comforting, one-dish meal featuring Italian sausage, dry lentils, carrots, and frozen spinach, seasoned with a blend of herbs and spices.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes 8 servings.
How many calories are in one serving of this stew?
Each serving contains approximately 300 calories.
What type of sausage is recommended?
The recipe calls for 1 lb of fresh Italian sausage with the casings removed.
Do I need to defrost the frozen spinach before adding it to the pot?
No, the recipe specifies using one 10 3/4 ounce box of frozen chopped spinach without defrosting.
How long does the stew need to simmer?
The stew should simmer uncovered for about 1 hour, or until the lentils are tender.
What kind of lentils should I use?
The recipe requires one 12 ounce bag of dry lentils.
How much water is needed for the recipe?
You will need 10 cups of water, or as needed to reach your desired consistency.
Can I substitute the beef bouillon cubes?
Yes, you can use more cubes for a stronger flavor or substitute with beef broth, though you may need to adjust the water content.
Is there any sugar in this stew?
The recipe includes 1 tablespoon of brown sugar as an optional ingredient to balance the flavors.
What spices are used for seasoning?
The stew is seasoned with white pepper, black pepper, garlic salt, nutmeg, tarragon, oregano, and a bay leaf.
Should I remove the bay leaf before serving?
Yes, always remove the bay leaf once the cooking process is complete.
What is the fat content per serving?
There are 7.5g of fat per serving.
How much protein is in each serving?
Each serving provides 10g of protein.
What type of onion should I use?
The recipe calls for one large yellow onion, chopped.
How many garlic cloves are required?
You will need 4 minced garlic cloves.
Is this recipe high in fiber?
Each serving contains 3.75g of fiber.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 43.75g of carbohydrates per serving.
Should I drain the fat from the sausage?
Yes, the instructions recommend browning the sausage and then draining any excess fat before adding other ingredients.
Can I add more carrots?
The recipe uses 5 large chopped carrots, but you can adjust the amount based on your preference.
What is the purpose of the cooking spray?
The cooking spray is used to grease the Dutch oven or stock pot before sautéing the onions and garlic.
Can I use fresh nutmeg?
Yes, the recipe suggests using a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg if possible.
What does the tarragon add to the dish?
Tarragon adds a hint of depth and a unique herbal note that complements the savory sausage.
Is the garlic salt mandatory?
No, garlic salt is listed as an optional ingredient to be added to taste.
How do I prepare the Italian sausage?
Remove the casings and break the sausage into bite-sized pieces with a wooden spoon as it browns.
What is the first step in making the stew?
Begin by spraying a large Dutch oven with cooking spray and sautéing chopped onion and minced garlic over medium heat.
How much sugar is in each serving?
There is 1.25g of sugar per serving.
Can I serve this with anything?
It is perfectly paired with crusty bread or a simple side salad.
Does the recipe use dried or fresh herbs?
It uses dried tarragon and dried oregano, both adjusted to taste.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 17 total ingredients listed for this stew.