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3-Ingredient Sausage Dinner With Lentils and Fennel

This Mediterranean-inspired sausage and lentil dinner is a masterclass in building deep flavours with just a few quality ingredients. The recipe uses sweet Italian-style sausages and fennel in two ways—finely chopped to fragrance the base of the lentils and roasted in wedges for a caramelised, savoury finish. By simmering the French green lentils until they are perfectly tender, you create a wholesome, high-protein bed that pairs beautifully with the juicy, golden-brown sausages.

Ideal for a nutritious mid-week meal, this comforting dish is both hearty and healthy. The addition of fresh fennel fronds and a final drizzle of extra virgin olive oil adds a bright, professional touch to this simple home-cooked roast. It is a fantastic option for those seeking a satisfying, protein-packed dinner that minimises kitchen waste and maximises natural garden flavours.

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Ingredients for 3-Ingredient Sausage Dinner With Lentils and Fennel

  • 2 medium fennel bulbs with fronds

  • 90ml olive oil, divided, plus more for serving

  • 2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided

  • 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper, divided

  • 240ml dried lentils (preferably French green lentils

  • about 200g )

  • 4 sweet Italian sausages

Preheat oven to 204°C. Finely chop half of 1 fennel bulb. Chop 2 tablespoons fronds, transfer to a small bowl, and set aside.

Heat 45ml oil in a 3–4-qt. heavy saucepan over medium. Cook chopped fennel, 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1/4 teaspoons pepper, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes.

Add lentils, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1075ml water, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, until lentils are just tender but not falling apart, 15–25 minutes.

Meanwhile, cut remaining 1 1/2 fennel bulbs into 1" wedges.

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high. Cook sausages, turning occasionally, until golden brown on all sides but still undercooked, about 8 minutes. Transfer sausages to a plate.

Heat 2 tablespoons oil in same skillet over medium-high. Cook fennel wedges and remaining 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoons pepper, stirring, until golden brown on both sides, about 5 minutes. Nestle sausages among fennel wedges, then transfer skillet to oven and roast until sausages are firm and fully cooked through, about 8 minutes more.

Cut sausages diagonally into 1/2"-thick slices. Divide lentils among bowls, then top with sliced sausage, roasted fennel, a drizzle of oil, and reserved fennel fronds.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Article history

The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.

  • 28 Jan 2026 | Originally published

    Authored by:

    UK recipe editors

    Peer reviewed by

    UK recipe editors
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