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
- 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.
- Aromatic Foundation: Incorporate onion, garlic, carrots, and celery into the sausage, sautéing until vegetables become translucent and fragrant.
- Vegetable Medley: Add zucchini, bell pepper, diced tomatoes, and beans, stirring to integrate with the existing mixture.
- Liquid Infusion: Pour chicken broth and season with Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Pasta Integration: Introduce pasta and allow it to cook directly in the simmering soup, absorbing flavors and becoming tender.
- Verdant Finish: Fold in spinach or kale, letting the greens wilt and add a fresh, vibrant layer to the soup.
- 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