Sausage, lentils, and spicy peppers merge in a flavorful, hearty one-pot meal that's easy to prepare.
# What You Need:
→ Meats
01 - 14 oz spicy Italian sausage, casings removed
→ Legumes
02 - 1 cup dried brown or green lentils, rinsed
→ Vegetables
03 - 1 large onion, diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
06 - 1 green bell pepper, diced
07 - 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced (optional)
08 - 14 oz canned diced tomatoes
09 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
→ Liquids
10 - 4 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
→ Spices & Seasonings
11 - 2 tsp chili powder
12 - 1 tsp ground cumin
13 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
14 - ½ tsp dried oregano
15 - ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
16 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Oils
17 - 2 tbsp olive oil
# Steps:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add sausage and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, approximately 5 minutes. Remove sausage and set aside, leaving drippings in the pot.
02 - Add onion, garlic, red and green bell peppers, and jalapeño to the pot. Sauté for 5 to 7 minutes until vegetables soften.
03 - Stir in tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, and cayenne pepper. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Add lentils, diced tomatoes with their juices, and broth. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
05 - Return cooked sausage to the pot and continue cooking uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes until lentils are tender and chili thickens.
06 - Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot, optionally garnished with chopped cilantro or green onions.
