Instant Pot Instructions:

1. Turn Instant Pot to saute setting. When display says hot add in the oil and swirl it around. Add in the smoked sausage and brown for about 4 minutes. Add in the onion and saute for 3 minutes. 
2. Pour in the broth and scrape bottom of pot so that nothing is sticking. Turn off Instant Pot. 
3. Sprinkle in the lentils. Dump in the tomatoes, sugar, pepper, garlic powder and red pepper flakes. Don’t stir. 
4. Cover Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set the manual/pressure cook button to 5 minutes for al dente lentils or 7 minutes for soft lentils. Let pot sit for 5 minutes and then move valve to venting and remove the lid.
5. Stir. If it needs to be thickened stir cornstarch together with equal parts cold water and stir it into the pot on the saute setting until sauce thickens. 
6. Sprinkle cheese on top and let it melt. Serve and enjoy!

Slow Cooker Instructions:

1. Heat a pan over medium high heat. Add in the oil and swirl it around. Add in the smoked sausage and brown for about 4 minutes. Add in the onion and saute for 3 minutes. Transfer to the slow cooker.
2. Stir in the broth, lentils, tomatoes, sugar, pepper, garlic powder and red pepper flakes. 
3. Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours or until lentils are cooked through.
4. If it needs to be thickened stir cornstarch together with equal parts cold water and stir it into the slow cooker on the high setting until sauce thickens. 
5. Sprinkle cheese on top and let it melt. Serve and enjoy!