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Home » Recipes » Dish Type » Soups, Stew & Chili Recipes

Lentil and Sausage Stew (with spinach)

Published: Mar 2, 2022 by Terri Gilson · Modified: Mar 2, 2022 · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links · 4 Comments

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pin collage of 3 photos of Lentil and Sausage stew (with spinach) with blue and black text on white surface at top

This Lentil and Sausage Stew (with spinach) is an easy, healthy and delicious dinner! Made with canned tomatoes and canned lentils, it'll take you 30 minutes to put together.

Lentil and sausage stew in blue bowl on white surface with light blue pot of stew in the background

This hearty stew is a dish my Mom makes and my family loves. It makes a great weeknight meal, is WW friendly (using Italian Turkey Sausage) and it's dairy-free. This recipe was inspired by my Mom's Red Lentil Soup (with spinach) on this site, and pairs well with my Everything Bagel Cloud Bread Recipe.

Jump to:
  • 💭Healthy Benefits of Lentils
  • 🥘Ingredients
  • 🔪Instructions
  • 📖Variations & Substitutions
  • 👪 Serving Size
  • 🔢WW Points
  • 🥗 Side Dishes
  • 🍽Equipment
  • 🌡️Storage
  • 🦺Food safety
  • ❔Frequently Asked Questions
  • ⭐ Reviews
  • 📋Lentil and Sausage Stew Recipe (with Spinach)
  • 🍲More Healthy 30 Minute Dinner Recipes

💭Healthy Benefits of Lentils

Lentils are high in fibre, a great source of iron, B vitamins, magnesium, zinc, potassium and packed with protein. You can read more about the health benefits of lentils HERE.


🥘Ingredients

For this Lentil Sausage Stew, you'll need:

  • Italian sausages
  • onion
  • carrots
  • garlic
  • canned tomatoes
  • canned lentils
  • fresh baby spinach.
  • cilantro (optional)

*See recipe card for quantities.

labelled ingredients for lentil and sausage stew

🔪Instructions

  1. Cook sausage over medium-high heat until cooked through (no longer pink). Set aside. Add I chopped onion, 3 diced carrots (I precook carrots for 6 minutes in microwave with a tablespoon of water, then drain), and 2 minced garlic cloves. and canned tomatoes. Bring to boil over high heat. Reduce to medium heat and cook until onion and carrot are soft (a fork can easily go through), about 20 minutes.
  2. Add chopped sausages to stew, along with canned lentils, drained and rinsed, and 6 cups baby spinach.

  • carrots, tomatoes and onions in pot with lentils, spinach and cooked sausage in background
    Step 1
  • lentils, spinach and sausage added to stew
    Step 2

3. Add a the spinach in batches, stir until it gets a bit soft/wilts, then add the next batch and repeat. I do this about 3-4 times.

spinach being added to stew in batches
Step 3

4. Heat through and serve.

all sausage added to pot and heated until wilted
Step 4

📖Variations & Substitutions

  • Tomatoes- you can use whole or diced canned tomatoes
  • Sausages - you can use either pork Italian sausage, turkey sausage or chicken sausage to bring down the calories and WW points
  • Spinach - you could substitute frozen spinach
  • Lentils- you can use dry lentils (cook in advance) if you prefer
  • Vegetarian - skip the sausage and get the "Italian" flavor of the sausage from adding a little Italian seasoning, pepper, onion powder, fennel and paprika
  • Gluten-free - use gluten-free sausages
  • Spicy - add chili or red pepper flakes
  • Garlic - you can use jarred minced garlic or garlic powder (in a pinch) if you don't have fresh garlic

👪 Serving Size

This Lentil Stew recipe makes 4 servings. However, you can half, double or triple the recipe by clicking on the blue serving number and selecting the number of servings you'd like. The ingredient quantities will automatically adjust. I always double this recipe because my family loves it!

Lentil Sausage Stew with spinach in a light blue pot with white canisters in the background

🔢WW Points

This Lentils with Sausage and Spinach is Weight Watchers friendly @ 6 WW point on my plan, using turkey Italian sausages. If you use pork Italian sausages, it will be substantially higher in WW points. You can click HERE to see how many points it is on your WW plan (Canada)

🥗 Side Dishes

This lentil sausage stew goes well with crusty bread, rye bread or a side salad. I also like to serve it with:

  • Everything Bagel Cloud Bread Recipe
  • The Best Baking Powder Biscuits
  • Bread Machine Onion & Olive Bread
  • Quick Cucumber Kimchi

🍽Equipment

You don't need any special equipment for this recipe- just a cutting board, a good knife, a frying pan and a large pot. You could use a Dutch oven (affiliate link) as well, especially if you want to cook the sausages and the remainder of the dish in one pot.

Lentil and Sausage stew (with spinach) being held up on a spoon)

🌡️Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight sealed container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

🦺Food safety

  • Cook sausages to a minimum temperature of 160 -165 °F (71-74 °C)
  • Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
  • Wash hands after touching raw meat
  • Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
  • Never leave cooking food unattended
  • Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
  • Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

See more guidelines at USDA.gov.

❔Frequently Asked Questions

Is lentil stew healthy?

Yes! Lentil Stew is healthy for you because lentils are healthy for you! They are rich in minerals, low in fat, high in fibre and are also a great source of protein, folate and iron. The other ingredients in this stew (spinach, tomatoes, carrots, onions and garlic) are also full of nutrients.

What meat goes well with lentils?

The meat that goes best with lentils is sausages. That's why the ingredients in Lentil Sausage stew work so well together. Chicken also goes well with lentils.

Do lentils thicken stew?

Lentils thicken stew, especially if they are pureed or red lentils (that tend to cook up mushier and lose their shape). If you want a thicker stew you can puree the canned lentils for this stew.

⭐ Reviews

Did you make this recipe? Please RATE THE RECIPE below

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Lentil and sausage stew in blue bowl on white surface with light blue pot of stew in the background
Food Meandering Logo

📋Lentil and Sausage Stew Recipe (with Spinach)

Lentil and Sausage Stew (with spinach) is a healthy and hearty meal. Made with canned tomatoes and canned lentils, it's easy and will take you 30 minutes to put together.
Print Pin Rate
Course: dinner, lunch
Cuisine: American, Canadian, North American
Keyword: lentil, sausage, spinach
Special Diet: Weight Watchers
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 263kcal
Author: Terri Gilson
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

  • 3 Italian sausages * turkey or regular
  • 1 onion, chopped large
  • 3 carrots, diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 28 oz can of tomatoes
  • 19 oz can of lentils
  • 6 cups baby spinach.

Garnish (optional)

  • cilantro
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Cook 3 Italian sausages over medium heat in a frying pan or Dutch oven. Set aside.
  • Meanwhile. Add a tablespoon of water to carrots in a microwave safe bowl and precook carrots in the microwave for 6 minutes on high.
  • Add chopped onion, diced carrot, minced garlic cloves and canned tomatoes to a large pot and bring to boil over high heat.
    carrots, tomatoes and onions in pot with lentils, spinach and cooked sausage in background
  • Reduce heat to medium and cook until onion and carrot are soft, about 20 minutes.
  • Chop sausages into small pieces. Drain and rinse canned lentils for 30 seconds.
  • Add to stew along with canned lentils, drained and rinsed, and baby spinach.
    lentils, spinach and sausage added to stew
  • Add spinach in 3-4 batches, stirring between.
    spinach being added to stew in batches
  • Heat through until spinach has wilted and serve.
    all sausage added to pot and heated until wilted

Notes

🔢WW POINTS
This recipe is Weight Watchers friendly @ 6 WW point on my plan, using turkey Italian sausages. If you use pork Italian sausages, it will be substantially higher in WW points. You can click HERE to see how many points it is on your WW plan (Canada)
Nutrition Facts
📋Lentil and Sausage Stew Recipe (with Spinach)
Amount Per Serving (1.5 cups)
Calories 263 Calories from Fat 9
% Daily Value*
Fat 1g2%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 1g
Cholesterol 1mg0%
Sodium 340mg15%
Potassium 1523mg44%
Carbohydrates 51g17%
Fiber 17g71%
Sugar 15g17%
Protein 18g36%
Vitamin A 12302IU246%
Vitamin C 38mg46%
Calcium 162mg16%
Iron 9mg50%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition

Serving: 1.5cups | Calories: 263kcal (13%) | Carbohydrates: 51g (17%) | Protein: 18g (36%) | Fat: 1g (2%) | Saturated Fat: 1g (6%) | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 340mg (15%) | Potassium: 1523mg (44%) | Fiber: 17g (71%) | Sugar: 15g (17%) | Vitamin A: 12302IU (246%) | Vitamin C: 38mg (46%) | Calcium: 162mg (16%) | Iron: 9mg (50%)
Did you make this recipe? Please leave a star rating and review below!
Rate this Recipe

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cindy Mom the Lunch Lady

    March 08, 2022 at 3:09 pm

    This looks like such a hearty meal! I love lentils, but never know how to prepare them in interesting ways that aren't my same old recipe. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  2. nancy

    March 09, 2022 at 2:20 pm

    i love adding lentils to my stew to bulk it up. this classic comfy recipe is always loved at our dinner table

    Reply
  3. Colleen

    March 09, 2022 at 2:41 pm

    This stew is a hearty homey meal that we loved, especially since it only took 30 minutes!
    Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Terri Gilson

      March 11, 2022 at 6:47 pm

      Glad you enjoyed it, Colleen!

      Reply

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I'm Terri, a passionate home cook and baker, an award-winning recipe developer and a busy working mom that is trying to eat healthy and fit everything into not enough hours in a day! My mission is to share not only my recipes, cooking hacks and tips with you, but also my secrets to successful weight maintenance.

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