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–+ servings
sliced sausage all laid in rows over lentils

Lentils With Sausage Italian New Year's Recipe (Cotechino)

Lentils and Sausage Italian New Years Recipe is how we have for decades brought in the new year! Celebrating new year's eve with a traditional dish, a meal built on a history of a time where simple peasant dishes brought hope. Today, we still prepare this meal with a hint of excitement and hope for the following year. 
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Author: Miranda | My Anosmic Kitchen
Prep 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings :6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 3 tablespoons Extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 Onion, finely chopped
  • 1-2 Carrots, finely chopped
  • 2-3 Garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 Celery stalk, finely chopped
  • Salt and black pepper
  • 2 tablespoon Tomato paste
  • Spices
  • 1-2 Bay leaves, (1-2)
  • 1 cup Dried brown lentils, rinsed
  • 4-5 cups Water, vegetable stock or chicken stock
  • 1 Beef cube

For the Sausage

  • 500 grams Cotechino or good-quality pork sausage

Instructions 

Step 1: Prepare the Base (Soffritto)

  • In a large pot or saucepan, heat the extra virgin olive oil over medium-low heat.Add the finely chopped onion, carrot, celery, and garlic with a pinch of salt.
    Cook gently for 8–10 minutes, stirring often, until the vegetables are soft and fragrant. This slow cook builds the base flavor — avoid browning.
    (Tip: You can finely chop by hand or use a food processor and pulse for control.)

Step 2: Build the Lentils

  • Stir in the tomato paste and spices, cooking for about 1 minute to deepen the flavor.Add the uncooked lentils, bay leaves, and beef cubes.
    Pour in enough water (or your chosen cooking liquid) to fully cover the lentils by about 3–4 cm.
    Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce to a steady simmer.

Step 3: Simmer Until Tender

  • Let the lentils cook uncovered for 30–40 minutes, stirring occasionally. Check liquid levels during cooking and add more water if needed to prevent sticking.
    The lentils should be tender but not mushy, with a thick, spoonable consistency.

Step 4: Taste & Adjust

  • Once the lentils are cooked, taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.Remove bay leaves before serving.

Step 5: Cook the Sausage

  • While the lentils are simmering, cook the sausage separately.
    Heat a pan over medium heat and cook the cotechino or pork sausages, turning occasionally, until well browned and cooked through — about 12–15 minutes.
    Rest briefly, then slice or serve whole.

Step 6: Serve

  • Spoon the lentils into bowls or onto a serving platter and top with the sausage.Finish with a drizzle of olive oil and fresh herbs if using.
    Serve hot and enjoy — whether it’s New Year’s Eve or any comforting day of the year.

Notes

Brown lentils work best for this recipe because they hold their shape. Pork sausage is a perfect substitute for cotechino, and tomato paste is optional depending on how traditional you’d like the dish to be.
 

Nutrition

Serving: 1personCalories: 295kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 14gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 24mgSodium: 429mgPotassium: 510mgFiber: 11gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 1822IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 35mgIron: 3mg
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