Italian Sausage and Lentil Soup

Ingredients

• 2 tsps olive oil
• 1 lb. sweet or hot italian sausage (if links, casing removed)
• 1 large onion, diced
• 2 medium carrots, diced
• 2 ribs celery, diced
• 1 tsp garlic, minced
• 2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 2 tsps coarse kosher salt, (more to taste)
• 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 1-1/2 cups green or brown lentils, picked over and rinsed
• 8 cups chicken broth/water, more as desired
• 1 parmesan rind

Instructions

1. Heat a large heavy-bottomed pot with olive oil. Add sausage and cook until no longer pink, about 8 minutes. If the sausage has rendered a lot of fat (more than a tablespoon), shut off the heat, push the sausage to one side and drain it. Turn back on the heat to medium.
2. Add the onion, carrots, and celery to the sausage and cook until beginning to soften, about 6-8 minutes.
3. Add the garlic and salt, and cook for 2 minutes, until the garlic is fragrant. Add the tomatoes, lentils, broth, potatoes, Italian seasoning, parmesan rind and stir.
4. Bring the soup up to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until the lentils are tender, about 20-30 minutes.
5. Top with parmesan and enjoy!