LENTIL AND PASTA STEW

Lentil and Pasta Stew image

Warm up with a big bowl of this stick-to-your-ribs stew that's chock-full of chopped smoked sausage, hearty veggies and tender lentils. It's terrific with oven-fresh baked bread. -Geraldine Saucier, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Dinner

Time 8h25m

Yield 8 servings (2 quarts).

Number Of Ingredients 15

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Ingredients

1/2 pound smoked kielbasa or Polish sausage, chopped
3 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons butter
1 cup cubed peeled potatoes
3/4 cup sliced fresh carrots
1 celery rib, sliced
1 small onion, finely chopped
5 cups beef broth
1 cup dried lentils, rinsed
1 cup canned diced tomatoes
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup uncooked ditalini or other small pasta
Shredded Romano cheese

Steps:

Brown kielbasa in oil and butter in a large skillet. Add the potatoes, carrots, celery and onion. Cook and stir for 3 minutes over medium heat. Transfer to a 4- or 5-qt. slow cooker. Stir in the broth, lentils, tomatoes, bay leaf, pepper and salt., Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours or until lentils are tender. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Stir pasta into slow cooker. Discard bay leaf. Sprinkle servings with cheese.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 364 calories, Fat 18g fat (6g saturated fat), Cholesterol 30mg cholesterol, Sodium 1021mg sodium, Carbohydrate 36g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 9g fiber), Protein 15g protein.