If you love Carrabba’s Italian Grill, you’ve probably tasted their famous lentil soup—a rich, hearty, and flavorful dish packed with lentils, vegetables, and Italian sausage. This homemade Carrabba’s lentil soup recipe brings that same comforting taste right to your kitchen.

With the perfect blend of spices and wholesome ingredients, this easy-to-make lentil soup is ideal for a cozy dinner or meal prep. In this guide, you’ll learn how to make Carrabba’s-style lentil soup, plus tips for ingredient swaps, storage, and serving suggestions.

For more authentic Italian soup recipes, check out Serious Eats’ Best Italian Soup Recipes.

Let’s get cooking!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

✅ Authentic Taste – Inspired by Carrabba’s signature flavors.
✅ Healthy & Hearty – Packed with protein, fiber, and nutrients.
✅ One-Pot Meal – Easy cleanup and minimal effort.
✅ Customizable – Easily make it vegetarian or adjust the spice level.

Looking for the best lentils for cooking? Check out Bob’s Red Mill Lentils for high-quality options.

Ingredients for Carrabba’s Lentil Soup

Main Ingredients

• 1 cup dry lentils, rinsed
• 1/2 lb Italian sausage, mild or spicy (remove casing if using links)
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, with juice
• 6 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarian version)
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Parmesan cheese, for garnish (optional)
• Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Want authentic Italian sausage? Order online from Porter Road for high-quality options.

How to Make Carrabba’s Lentil Soup

Step 1: Cook the Sausage

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add the Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it into small pieces.
3. Remove excess grease if needed, leaving about 1 tbsp in the pot.

Step 2: Sauté the Vegetables

1. Add onions, carrots, and celery to the pot. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
2. Stir in the garlic and cook for another minute.

Step 3: Add Lentils and Spices

1. Pour in the lentils, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, oregano, basil, thyme, red pepper flakes, and bay leaf.
2. Stir well and bring the soup to a gentle boil.

Step 4: Simmer the Soup

1. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 35-40 minutes, or until the lentils are tender.
2. Stir occasionally and add more broth if needed for consistency.

Step 5: Final Touches

1. Remove the bay leaf and taste the soup. Adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper.
2. Serve hot, garnished with Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.

Need a step-by-step guide on cooking lentils? Visit The Kitchn’s Guide to Cooking Lentils.

Tips for the Best Lentil Soup

1. Can I Make It Vegetarian?

Yes! Simply omit the Italian sausage and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.

2. Can I Use Canned Lentils?

Yes, but reduce the cooking time to 15-20 minutes, since canned lentils are already soft.

3. How to Store and Reheat

• Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
• Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months in freezer-safe containers.
• Reheating: Warm on the stove over low heat, adding extra broth if needed.

For expert freezing tips, check out Bon Appétit’s Guide to Freezing Soups.

Serving Suggestions

This Carrabba’s lentil soup pairs well with:

• Crusty Italian bread or garlic bread
• A fresh green salad with balsamic dressing
• Parmesan or Pecorino cheese for extra richness

Want to bake your own Italian bread? Try this BBC Good Food Italian Bread Recipe.

FAQs About Carrabba’s Lentil Soup

1. What type of lentils should I use?

Brown or green lentils work best, as they hold their shape well during cooking.

2. Can I make this soup in a slow cooker?

Yes! Brown the sausage and sauté the veggies first, then transfer everything to a slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours.

3. How do I thicken lentil soup?

If your soup is too thin, blend 1 cup of cooked lentils and stir it back in for a creamier texture.

For more lentil cooking techniques, visit Healthline’s Nutritional Guide to Lentils

Conclusion

This Carrabba’s lentil soup recipe is easy, hearty, and packed with Italian flavors. Whether you follow the classic version with Italian sausage or go for a vegetarian alternative, this soup is guaranteed to become a family favorite.

Want more Italian-inspired recipes? Check out Food & Wine’s Best Italian Soups.

Now grab a bowl, sprinkle some Parmesan on top, and enjoy your homemade Carrabba’s lentil soup!

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The Ultimate Guide to Mashed Potatoes and Gravy

Carrabba’s Lentil Soup Recipe: A Taste of Italy

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Recreate Carrabba’s lentil soup recipe at home with Italian sausage, lentils, and veggies. A hearty, flavorful soup perfect for any occasion!

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb Italian sausage (or turkey sausage)
• 2 cups dry lentils (green or brown)
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 2 (14.5 oz) cans diced tomatoes
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, sliced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp salt
• Black pepper to taste
• 1 tsp each dried basil, oregano, parsley, and thyme
• Red pepper flakes (optional)
• Olive oil for sautéing

Instructions

1. Prepare Ingredients: Rinse lentils and chop vegetables into even sizes.
2. Cook Sausage: In a large pot, brown sausage over medium heat. Remove excess fat.
3. Sauté Vegetables: Add olive oil to the pot and sauté onion, celery, carrots, and garlic until softened.
4. Combine Ingredients: Return sausage to the pot, add lentils, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, and seasonings. Stir to combine.
5. Simmer: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 45–60 minutes, or until lentils are tender.
6. Adjust and Serve: Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Garnish with Parmesan cheese and serve hot.

• Author: aleida
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 60 minutes
• Category: Soup
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian
• Diet: Gluten Free

Keywords: Carrabba’s lentil soup recipe, Italian lentil soup, hearty soups, sausage soup, lentil recipes, winter soup recipes, comfort food, easy soup recipes