A bowl of lentils can carry dinner without a long list of accompaniments. Beth Moncel’s stew at Budget Bytes pairs them with Italian sausage, spinach and the familiar onion-carrot-celery combination. The sausage is distributed through the pot in small pieces, so each spoonful has more going on than broth and beans.
Why this belongs on an autumn table
The appeal is the balance of a substantial bowl and a relatively straightforward shopping list. Brown lentils keep a visible presence among the vegetables; cumin, smoked paprika, oregano and cayenne give the broth several directions of warmth. This is a different proposition from our smoother roasted carrot soup.
Our serving suggestion is to keep the rest of the meal spare: bread for the broth, a small plate of something crisp, and enough room at the table for the bowl itself. Follow Moncel’s full recipe for quantities, cooking sequence and storage guidance.
Recipe creator: Beth Moncel, Budget Bytes. Get the complete lentil and sausage stew recipe.