Hearty Sausage Minestrone Soup Recipe

Cozy Up with Our Hearty Sausage Minestrone Soup Recipe Tonight

Steaming bowls of hearty sausage minestrone soup warm cold winter nights with incredible depth and comfort.

Italian culinary traditions burst through every spoonful of this robust recipe.

Rich, savory Italian sausage blends seamlessly with tender vegetables and aromatic herbs.

Beans and pasta add satisfying texture to each delightful serving.

Chunky vegetables provide a colorful medley of nutrition and flavor.

This soup delivers a complete meal in a single pot, perfect for quick weeknight dinners.

Every bite promises a delicious journey through classic Italian comfort cooking that will leave you craving more.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 380 kcal

Servings: 6

Everything You Need for Sausage Minestrone Soup

For Meat Base:
  • Italian Sausage: Provides rich, savory flavor and protein backbone to the soup, choose fresh ground sausage with herbs for maximum taste impact.
For Aromatic Vegetables:
  • Onion, Garlic, Carrots, Celery: Create flavor foundation with deep, layered taste profile, select crisp and firm vegetables for best texture and sweetness.
For Additional Vegetables:
  • Zucchini, Bell Pepper, Diced Tomatoes: Boost nutritional value and add vibrant colors, pick ripe seasonal vegetables for maximum freshness and flavor complexity.
For Beans and Legumes:
  • Beans: Provide hearty protein and creamy texture, select low-sodium canned beans or pre-soaked dried beans for optimal consistency.
For Liquid Base:
  • Chicken Broth: Serves as soup's liquid foundation, opt for low-sodium versions to control salt content and enhance natural ingredient flavors.
For Seasoning Blend:
  • Italian Seasoning, Salt, Black Pepper, Red Pepper Flakes: Elevate soup's taste profile with balanced spice and herbal notes, adjust according to personal heat preference.
For Pasta:
  • Pasta: Adds substantial texture and makes soup more filling, choose small shapes that retain structure during cooking.
For Greens:
  • Spinach or Kale: Introduces nutrient-dense leafy element, select fresh crisp greens for vibrant color and nutritional boost.
For Garnish:
  • Parmesan Cheese, Fresh Parsley: Provides finishing touch with sharp, fresh flavors, grate cheese freshly for maximum taste impact.

Helpful Tools for Sausage Minestrone Soup Day

  • Large pot or Dutch oven: Essential for cooking the entire soup from start to finish.
  • Wooden spoon or spatula: Perfect for breaking apart sausage and stirring ingredients.
  • Sharp knife: Needed for chopping onions, garlic, carrots, celery, zucchini, and bell pepper.
  • Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for chopping vegetables.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Helps accurately measure broth, seasonings, and ingredients.
  • Ladle: Great for serving soup into individual bowls.

Easy Steps to Cook Sausage Minestrone Soup

  • Brown the Sausage

Grab a big pot and warm some olive oil. Toss in the Italian sausage and break it into tasty little pieces. Cook until it’s nicely browned and looking delicious.

  • Sauté the Aromatics

Throw in chopped onions, garlic, carrots, and celery. Let them dance and soften in the pot, releasing their amazing flavors.

  • Mix in Colorful Vegetables

Add zucchini, bell peppers, juicy diced tomatoes, and hearty beans. Stir everything together to create a vibrant veggie party.

  • Build the Soup Base

Pour in chicken broth and sprinkle in Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Bring the pot to a gentle bubble, then let it simmer and develop deep, rich flavors.

  • Cook the Pasta

Drop in your favorite pasta and let it cook until perfectly tender. Watch as it soaks up all the delicious broth.

  • Finish with Greens

Toss in fresh spinach or kale, letting it wilt into the soup and add a pop of color and nutrition.

  • Serve and Enjoy

Ladle the steaming soup into bowls. Sprinkle some Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley on top. Grab a crusty piece of bread and dive in!

Variations to Try for Sausage Minestrone Soup

  • Cook sausage until deeply golden for maximum flavor depth.
  • Prepare soup base a day ahead, letting flavors meld overnight in refrigerator for intensified taste.
  • Swap Italian sausage with plant-based sausage for vegetarian version; use gluten-free pasta for celiac-friendly option.
  • Dice vegetables uniformly to ensure consistent cooking and balanced bite in every spoonful.
  • Add parmesan rind during simmering stage to enhance soup's richness and complexity.

Sausage Minestrone Soup Serving Inspiration

  • Bread Basket Bliss: Slice up a crispy baguette or rustic sourdough to soak up the rich, hearty soup broth. Warm the bread in the oven for extra crunch and comfort.
  • Cheese Lover's Paradise: Sprinkle a generous handful of freshly grated Parmesan or pecorino romano on top. Add some crumbled goat cheese or dollops of ricotta for extra creaminess.
  • Salad Sidekick: Pair the soup with a crisp mixed green salad featuring arugula, cherry tomatoes, and a light lemon vinaigrette. The fresh, zesty salad will perfectly balance the warm, robust soup flavors.
  • Wine Pairing Perfection: Complement the Italian sausage and tomato-based soup with a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese. For white wine lovers, a crisp Pinot Grigio works wonderfully.

Best Storage Practices for Sausage Minestrone Soup

  • Dice vegetables and slice sausage in advance to reduce cooking time when preparing the soup. Store prepped ingredients in sealed containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Double the recipe and freeze portions in airtight containers for quick future meals. Individual servings last up to 3 months in the freezer, providing convenient weeknight dinner options.
  • Store leftover soup in sealed containers for 3-4 days. Keep pasta separate to prevent soggy noodles by storing broth and pasta in different containers, mixing when reheating.
  • Warm soup slowly on stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add splash of chicken broth if soup seems thick. Microwave works well for individual portions, stirring halfway through heating to ensure even temperature distribution.
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Hearty Sausage Minestrone Soup Recipe

Hearty Sausage Minestrone Soup Recipe


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4.6 from 21 reviews

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 7 1x

Description

Hearty sausage minestrone soup brings Italian countryside comfort to your kitchen, blending robust flavors and wholesome ingredients. Savory Italian sausage, tender vegetables, and aromatic herbs create a soul-warming bowl perfect for gathering family around the table.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy), casings removed
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 1 (14.5 oz/411 g) can diced tomatoes
  • 1 (15 oz/425 g) can cannellini or kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • ¾ cup small pasta (ditalini, elbow, or small shells)
  • 2 cups fresh spinach or kale, chopped
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 carrots, sliced
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 1 zucchini, diced
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tbsps fresh parsley, chopped
  • Crusty bread (for serving)

Instructions

  1. Sausage Sizzle: In a large pot, heat olive oil and brown Italian sausage over medium-high heat, breaking it into crumbles until fully cooked and caramelized.
  2. Aromatic Foundation: Incorporate onion, garlic, carrots, and celery into the sausage, sautéing until vegetables become translucent and fragrant.
  3. Vegetable Medley: Add zucchini, bell pepper, diced tomatoes, and beans, stirring to integrate with the existing mixture.
  4. Liquid Infusion: Pour chicken broth and season with Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer.
  5. Pasta Integration: Introduce pasta and allow it to cook directly in the simmering soup, absorbing flavors and becoming tender.
  6. Verdant Finish: Fold in spinach or kale, letting the greens wilt and add a fresh, vibrant layer to the soup.
  7. Presentation: Ladle the robust soup into serving bowls, generously sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley, accompanied by crusty bread or garlic toast.

Notes

  • Remove any visible fat from sausage to control soup’s greasiness and maintain a lighter texture.
  • Adjust red pepper flakes and Italian seasoning based on personal spice tolerance for balanced flavor.
  • Add pasta towards end of cooking to prevent overcooking and maintain ideal al dente texture.
  • Replace Italian sausage with plant-based sausage or extra beans for protein-rich alternative without compromising taste.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 7
  • Calories: 200
  • Sugar: 3g
  • Sodium: 800mg
  • Fat: 10g
  • Saturated Fat: 3g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 22g
  • Fiber: 5g
  • Protein: 12g
  • Cholesterol: 30mg
William Hawkins

William Hawkins

Founder & Culinary Director

Expertise

  • Modern American and Southern Cuisine
  • Farm-to-Table Practices
  • Restaurant Concept Development
  • Culinary Education and Mentorship​

Education

Sullivan University, Louisville, KY

  • Degree: Associate of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Focused on mastering culinary methods and food science, immersive externships, hands‑on training in industry‑standard kitchen labs, and equipping graduates for roles in restaurant operations.

William Hawkins isn’t just a chef, he’s a storyteller through food. From his hometown of Louisville, KY, he’s spent years refining his craft, turning local ingredients into something extraordinary. 

With classical training from Sullivan University and a career marked by innovation, mentorship, and Southern soul, William approaches every recipe with purpose. His kitchen is where old techniques meet fresh ideas, and where comfort food gets a thoughtful, modern twist. 

When he’s not building dishes from the ground up, he’s out gathering inspiration from nature, markets, and the stories people share around the table.

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