Start by heating olive oil in a heavy frying pan over medium heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the Italian sausage. Make sure to break the sausage into pieces as it cooks, allowing it to brown evenly. The goal here is to develop a rich color and flavor, so don’t rush this step. You can use a wooden spoon or even a potato masher to help with breaking it up.
Once nicely browned, transfer the sausage to a large soup pot. This is where the magic happens, as all those delicious flavors will meld together.
In the same frying pan, you may need to add a little more olive oil. Then, toss in your diced onion and sauté until softened. You want the onions to become translucent and just begin to caramelize, which adds an extra layer of sweetness to the dish.
Add the sautéed onions to the soup pot with the sausage. This combination is already starting to smell fantastic! Now, to deglaze the pan, pour in 1 cup of chicken broth and scrape up any flavorful bits stuck to the bottom. Add this broth to the soup pot as well.
Next, pour in the remaining chicken broth along with the brown lentils, ground fennel, dried thyme, and rubbed sage. Stir well to combine all the ingredients, ensuring that the lentils are submerged in the broth.
Bring the soup to a gentle simmer over low heat. It’s important to keep it at the lowest simmer possible, as this allows the flavors to develop beautifully. Cook for about 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. You’re looking for the lentils to soften but still hold their shape.
While the soup simmers, drain the jar of roasted red peppers. Chop them into small pieces, about half an inch in size. These will add a pop of color and sweetness to your soup.
After 45 minutes, add the chopped roasted red peppers to the pot and continue cooking for about 45 minutes more. If the soup thickens too much, feel free to add a little more broth or water to achieve your desired consistency.
Once you notice that some lentils are starting to fall apart and all flavors are well blended, season the soup with salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste. Remember, seasoning is key in bringing out all the flavors!
Serve your Sausage and Lentil Soup hot, and enjoy the heartwarming flavors that come from this delicious bowl.
