Pouches with lentils, sausage and cheese

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Pouches with lentils, sausage and cheese
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it br es fr de
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Prep time: 15 min
  • Cook time: 30 min
  • Makes: 12
  • Cost: Average

PRESENTATION

Fagottini with lentils, sausage and cheese—seriously good—is the kind of Italian dish that pops up during the holidays. What makes this dish different? It uses those leftover lentils from Christmas or New Year’s. Really, it’s something you see in lots of Italian homes. Instead of tossing those lentils, they mix with savory sausage and lots of melty cheese to become these tender, bite-sized pasta parcels.

Plus, there’s a bit of tradition—folks say lentils bring good luck and money for the year. So, it’s really fun seeing them show up in something new and exciting. The lentil and sausage pasta filling is hearty and moist, making these little packets super tasty. Each mouthful is like a mini celebration—warm and a bit creamy from the cheese—turning leftovers into something special.

For festive gatherings, everyone wants playful food. And cheese stuffed pasta fits right in. You know, kids and adults can’t resist those golden edges when it’s baked just right. And the inside? Rich with sausage and lentils. Italian holiday traditions always encourage using what you have—which is great—and making it work for a crowd. In some regions, they add their own twist to homemade fagottini. Maybe a bit of spice in the sausage or a different cheese, depending on what’s around.

Thing is, these little bundles brighten up the appetizer spread. They add crispy texture and loads of flavor. Whether you call it Italian stuffed pasta or your new favorite party snack, this dish brings everyone together, serving up tradition in a way that feels both creative and familiar. And look, the whole thing captures that joyful sharing vibe you get during the holidays. It makes each bite a piece of Italian festivity.

And here's the thing, this dish is way way better when you enjoy it with friends. Seriously, you can’t go wrong.

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INGREDIENTS

Ingredients for 12 pouches
Puff pastry 8.1 oz (230 g) - (1 rectangular)
Sausage 4.2 oz (120 g)
Precooked lentils ½ cup (90 g)
Brie cheese 1.8 oz (50 g)
Thyme - a few sprigs
Extra virgin olive oil to taste
Black pepper to taste
To garnish
Egg yolks 1
Fresh liquid cream 1 spoonful
Mixed seeds to taste - (flax, pumpkin, sunflower)
Black pepper to taste
Preparation

How to prepare Pouches with lentils, sausage and cheese

To prepare the pouches with lentils, sausage, and cheese, start by cooking the sausage. After peeling and cutting it into pieces, place it in a pan with a drizzle of oil 1. Sear it for a few minutes over high heat until it's roasted, in the meantime crumble it with a wooden spoon. As soon as the meat changes color and texture, add the pre-cooked lentils 2. Season with a few sprigs of fresh thyme, a pinch of pepper, and adjust the salt if necessary 3.

A few moments of cooking and the mix will be ready 4. Remove the rind from the brie and chop it with a knife 5, then add it to the bowl with the lentils and sausages 6.

Mix everything and let it cool 7. Unroll the puff pastry and use an 8 cm (3-inch) square cutter to obtain 12 squares 8. Fill the squares with a spoonful of filling 9.

Form the pouches by lifting the two ends towards the center first, and then the other two sides 10; match the tips and pinch the dough to seal them 11. Transfer everything onto a baking tray lined with parchment paper and brush with the beaten egg yolk and cream 12.

Finally, garnish the surface with mixed seeds and a grind of pepper 13. Bake your pouches with lentils, sausage, and cheese in a static oven, preheated to 392°F (200°C), for about 20 minutes 14. Let them cool before serving 15!

Storage

We recommend consuming the pouches with lentils, sausage, and cheese as soon as possible to keep the puff pastry crispy. Alternatively, you can store the pouches in the refrigerator for 2-3 days, remembering that the texture will gradually be lost.
Alternatively, you can freeze the raw pouches, perhaps already brushed, and if you have used fresh ingredients not previously frozen, remember to cook them from frozen.

Tip

These irresistible pouches with lentils, sausage, and cheese are perfect as they are, but if you would like a hint of sweetness, considering the mix of bold flavors, then sauté some thinly sliced leeks. Instead of brie, you can use any other melting cheese that is not rich in whey. Finally, to avoid wasting the cotechino, you can use it instead of sausage.

For the translation of some texts, artificial intelligence tools may have been used.
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