Slow Cooker Lentil & Sausage Stew
This slow cooker sausage and lentil soup is super easy too. You just toss everything together in your slow cooker and let it cook on low for 8 hours or on high for about 4 hours. You can also simmer it on the stovetop for about 2 hours if you prefer.
I knew I wanted to try it as soon as I saw it in the October/November issue of Healthy Cooking
I think one of the keys to being able to stick with your weight loss plan is finding recipes that you and your whole family can enjoy. (Eating something different from the rest of the family is a no starter for me. It makes getting dinner on the table way too complicated.)
This is one of those recipes you can turn to again and again all winter long. Each 1-1/2 cup serving has only 231 calories and 5 Weight Watchers PointsPlus.
Serve it with cornbread or muffins or crusty bread for a satisfying meal in a bowl.
| Slow Cooker Slim & Healthy Lentil & Chicken Sausage Stew Recipe |
- 4 cups reduced sodium chicken broth
- 1 can (28 ounce) diced tomatoes
- 3 fully cooked spicy chicken sausage links (3 ounces each) cut into 1/2-inch slices or half moons
- 1 cup dried lentils, rinsed
- 1 medium onion, peeled and chopped
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- In a 4- or 5-quart slow cooker, combine all the ingredients.
- Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours until lentils are tender.
Nutritional Estimates Per Serving (1-1/2 cups): 231 calories, 4 g fat, 31 g carbs, 13 g fiber, 19 g protein and 5 Weight Watcher PointsPlus Value.
This is the kind of recipe you can modify to suit your tastes and what you have available. When I made it yesterday, I used a can of whole tomatoes and gave them a quick chop in my little food processor until they were more like diced. I also used Aidell’s Italian Style Italian Sausage, since they were in the fridge. Next time I’ll use some with a little more spice.
I increased the celery and carrots from 1 to 2 since I always think more is better when it comes to vegetables.
If you don’t have fresh garlic, use garlic powder instead. I also like to keep a jar of chopped garlic in the fridge for those days I’m feeling especially lazy.
