Ingredients
1/2 pound smoked kielbasa or Polish sausage, chopped3 tablespoons olive oil3 tablespoons butter1 cup cubed peeled potatoes3/4 cup sliced fresh carrots1 celery rib, sliced1 small onion, finely chopped5 cups beef broth1 cup dried lentils, rinsed1 cup canned diced tomatoes1 bay leaf1 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper1/4 teaspoon salt1 cup uncooked ditalini or other small pastaShredded Romano cheese
Preparation
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.
