Amazing Leftover Ham Bone Lentil Soup

Name: Amazing Leftover Ham Bone Lentil Soup
Prep time: 1 h 15 min
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 cup diced onion (1 medium onion); 1 cup diced celery (2-3 ribs); 1 cup diced carrots (2-3 medium carrots); 1 tablespoon dried parsley (or 1/4 cup fresh); 1 teaspoon dried thyme; 2 cloves garlic, finely minced (or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder); Pinch crushed red pepper; 8 cups chicken stock or broth (I use low-sodium); 1 pound brown lentils (about 2 1/4 cups), rinsed and picked through/small debri and stones removed; 1 dried bay leaf; 1 leftover ham bone or smoked ham hock; 1 pound Italian chicken or pork sausages (fully cooked), sliced or chopped