One-Pot Sausage & Lentil Pasta 🥩🍝🥣 Earthy, Hearty, and Packed With Protein in a Rustic Tomato-Garlic Broth

This is weeknight comfort with substance — savory sausage, earthy lentils, and pasta all simmered together in a single pot until the flavors melt into each other. It’s bold, filling, and cozy without being heavy.

Think of it as pasta night meets Italian stew — with no draining, no fuss.

Ingredients (Serves 3–4)

For the base

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb Italian sausage (sweet or spicy), casings removed
• 1 small onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

For the one-pot simmer

• 1 cup dry lentils (green or brown), rinsed
• 1 (14 oz) can crushed tomatoes
• 4 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
• 8 oz short pasta (ditalini, penne, or fusilli)
• Salt and pepper to taste

To finish

• ½ cup grated Parmesan or Pecorino
• Chopped parsley or basil
• Optional: drizzle of olive oil or balsamic vinegar

Instructions

Step 1: Brown the sausage
In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high. Add sausage and cook, breaking it up, until browned and cooked through. Remove excess fat if needed.

Step 2: Build the base
Add onion and sauté 2–3 minutes. Stir in garlic, red pepper flakes, and Italian seasoning. Cook 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 3: Add lentils and liquids
Pour in lentils, crushed tomatoes, and broth. Stir well. Bring to a simmer and cook uncovered for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lentils start to soften.

Step 4: Add pasta
Stir in pasta. Continue simmering 10–12 minutes, stirring frequently, until pasta and lentils are tender and liquid has thickened slightly. Add more broth if needed.

Step 5: Finish and serve
Stir in Parmesan and taste for salt and pepper. Let sit 5 minutes off heat to thicken slightly. Garnish with fresh herbs and a drizzle of olive oil or balsamic if desired.

Flavor Variations

• Add chopped kale, spinach, or Swiss chard in the last 5 minutes
• Use fire-roasted tomatoes or tomato paste for extra depth
• Swap lentils for canned beans (reduce broth accordingly)
• Stir in a spoonful of pesto at the end for herbaceous richness
• Add smoked paprika or cumin for a subtle earthy twist

Pro Tips

• Stir regularly to keep pasta from sticking to the bottom
• Choose green or brown lentils — red lentils break down too much
• Simmer uncovered so liquid reduces into a thicker sauce
• Finish with a bit of acid (vinegar or lemon) to balance richness
• Let it rest before serving — it thickens and melds beautifully

Final Thoughts

One-Pot Sausage & Lentil Pasta is rich, rustic, and ready to fuel you — a nourishing, full-meal bowl that combines the comfort of pasta with the protein punch of lentils. It’s smart, simple, and built to satisfy.

Simmer it. Stir it. Serve it straight from the pot. 🥩🍝🥣

🍝 Pasta Recipes Collection

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