Easy Minestrone with Sausage Recipe: A Hearty Bowl of Comfort

Hearty minestrone with sausage brings comfort to chilly evenings, blending rustic Italian flavors into one satisfying bowl.

Memories of grandmother’s kitchen dance through each spoonful of this classic soup.

Savory Italian sausage adds depth and richness to traditional vegetable medleys.

Robust ingredients simmer together, creating layers of taste that warm you from inside out.

Colorful vegetables mingle with tender beans and perfectly seasoned meat, promising a meal that feels like a culinary embrace.

Invite friends around your table and let this soul-warming dish spark delightful conversations and shared moments.

Prepare to be transported to an Italian countryside with every delicious bite.

Why Minestrone with Sausage Is a Satisfying Bowl

• This one-pot wonder requires minimal cooking skills, making it perfect for beginners and busy home cooks who want a delicious meal without complicated techniques.
• The recipe allows endless variations by swapping proteins, vegetables, or greens, ensuring you can adapt it to your pantry and personal taste preferences.
• Loaded with vegetables, protein, and beans, this minestrone delivers a balanced meal that fuels your body while satisfying your taste buds with rich, comforting flavors.
• Kids and adults will love the hearty texture and mild spiciness, making it an ideal weeknight dinner that pleases everyone around the table without requiring separate meals.

What Goes into Minestrone with Sausage

• Sausage: Hearty meat that adds rich flavor and protein to the soup, choose Italian-style for best results.
• Chicken or Vegetable Broth: Liquid base that builds deep soup foundation, low-sodium options work well.

• Onion, Carrots, Celery: Classic soup base providing sweet and aromatic foundation, fresh and crisp produce recommended.
• Zucchini, Green Beans: Additional vegetables adding texture and nutrition, seasonal and firm vegetables preferred.
• Spinach or Kale: Fresh greens that wilt beautifully and boost nutritional value, choose tender leaves.
• Diced Tomatoes: Adds acidity and depth to soup, canned varieties work perfectly.

• Pasta: Provides heartiness and texture, short shapes like rotini or shells hold sauce well.
• Cannellini Beans: Creamy white beans that add protein and soft texture, canned beans save preparation time.
• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that intensifies overall flavor profile, fresh cloves recommended.
• Olive Oil: Cooking fat for initial sautéing, extra virgin provides best taste.
• Oregano, Basil, Red Pepper Flakes: Dried herbs and spices that create complex flavor profile.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasoning for balancing flavors.
• Parmesan Cheese: Optional garnish for adding salty, tangy finish.
• Fresh Parsley: Optional herb garnish for brightness and color.

How to Cook Minestrone with Sausage at Home

Step 1: Brown the Sausage

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Toss in the sausage and break it into bite-sized pieces. Cook until golden brown and fully cooked. Scoop out the sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside on a plate.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatic Vegetables

• Onions
• Carrots
• Celery

Sauté until vegetables soften and become translucent. Toss in garlic and cook until fragrant, releasing its delightful aroma.

Step 3: Create the Soup Foundation

• Zucchini
• Green beans
• Diced tomatoes

• Oregano
• Basil
• Red pepper flakes
• Salt
• Pepper

Bring the mixture to a rolling boil.

Step 4: Let Flavors Dance

Reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Allow ingredients to mingle and develop rich, complex flavors for 10-15 minutes.

Step 5: Add Pasta and Beans

• Pasta
• Cannellini beans

Cook until pasta reaches perfect tenderness, about 8-10 minutes.

Step 6: Incorporate Final Touches

Return browned sausage to the pot. Fold in fresh spinach or kale. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until greens wilt beautifully.

Step 7: Serve with Flair

Ladle steaming soup into bowls. Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley. Accompany with crusty bread for a complete meal.

Tips for a Hearty and Flavorful Soup

• Select Quality Sausage: Choose fresh Italian sausage with robust flavor for maximum taste and richness in your minestrone soup.
• Batch Cook for Meal Prep: Double the recipe and freeze portions in airtight containers for convenient, quick meals throughout the week.
• Customize Vegetable Variety: Swap or add seasonal vegetables like butternut squash or kale to create unique flavor profiles and boost nutrition.
• Control Sodium Levels: Use low-sodium broth and adjust salt gradually to manage overall sodium content while maintaining delicious taste.
• Boost Protein Alternatives: Replace meat sausage with plant-based sausage or extra beans for vegetarian and vegan-friendly versions of the soup.

Storing and Reheating Minestrone Made

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep the soup fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Pour cooled soup into freezer-safe containers or freezer bags. Freeze for up to 3 months. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn.
• Warm soup in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of broth or water to restore moisture and prevent sticking. Heat until steaming and thoroughly warmed.
• Transfer portion to a microwave-safe bowl. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap with a small vent. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until hot.

What Complements Minestrone with Sausage

• Choose robust Italian reds like Chianti or Sangiovese that complement the rich, meaty sausage and vegetable-packed soup.
• Select a crusty, dense sourdough or ciabatta to soak up the flavorful broth and add textural contrast to each spoonful.
• Create a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the soup's heartiness and provide a fresh, zesty counterpoint.
• Sprinkle extra aged Parmigiano-Reggiano on top to enhance the umami flavors and add a salty, nutty dimension to the dish.

Soup Variations to Keep Things Interesting

• Vegetarian Minestrone: Replace sausage with plant-based protein like crumbled tofu, tempeh, or chickpeas. Use vegetable broth and add extra herbs for depth of flavor.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap regular pasta with gluten-free pasta or zucchini noodles. Ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Low-Carb Version: Substitute pasta with cauliflower rice or spiralized vegetables. Use lean chicken or turkey sausage for protein reduction.
• Mediterranean-Inspired Adaptation: Add kalamata olives, artichoke hearts, and swap basil for oregano. Top with crumbled feta cheese instead of Parmesan for a Greek-style approach.

Minestrone with Sausage: FAQ Roundup

• Can I make this minestrone soup vegetarian?

Yes, simply omit the sausage and use vegetable broth instead. You can add plant-based protein like extra beans or meat substitute to maintain the heartiness.

• Is this recipe gluten-free?

Not by default. To make it gluten-free, replace regular pasta with gluten-free pasta and ensure your broth is certified gluten-free.

• How can I make the soup more protein-rich?

Add more beans like kidney beans or chickpeas, include extra cooked chicken, or increase the amount of sausage in the recipe. You can also top with additional Parmesan cheese for extra protein.

• Can I prep this soup in advance?

Absolutely. You can chop vegetables and cook sausage ahead of time. Store components separately in the refrigerator and combine when ready to cook. The soup also tastes even better the next day as flavors continue to develop.

Minestrone With Sausage Recipe

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4.6 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty minestrone with sausage brings Italian countryside comfort to winter dining tables. Packed with vegetables, beans, and savory sausage, this soup delivers robust flavors you’ll crave on chilly evenings.

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Ingredients

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Protein:

• 1 lb (450g) Italian sausage (mild or spicy, casings removed)

Vegetables:

• 1 onion, diced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 zucchini, diced
• 1 cup green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
• 2 cups fresh spinach or kale, chopped

Other Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 can (14.5 ounces, 411 grams) diced tomatoes
• 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 can (15 ounces, 425 grams) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup small pasta (e.g., ditalini or elbow)
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (for serving)
• Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Render the sausage in a spacious pot over medium warmth, fragmenting it into delicate morsels until golden and thoroughly cooked. Extract the sausage using a perforated utensil and reserve.
2. Utilize the identical pot to caramelize onions, carrots, and celery, sautéing until they transform soft and translucent. Introduce minced garlic and allow it to release its aromatic essence briefly.
3. Incorporate zucchini, green beans, and diced tomatoes into the vegetable mixture. Pour in broth, seasoning with oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Elevate the liquid to a vigorous boil.
4. Diminish the heat, permitting the soup to gently simmer, melding the robust flavors for approximately 10 minutes.
5. Introduce pasta and cannellini beans, continuing to cook until the pasta reaches an al dente consistency, roughly 8 minutes.
6. Reintegrate the previously cooked sausage and fold in fresh spinach or kale. Allow the greens to wilt and harmonize with the soup’s profile.
7. Transfer the aromatic minestrone into serving vessels. Optionally, garnish with freshly grated Parmesan and chopped parsley. Accompany with a rustic bread slice for a complete dining experience.

Notes

• Sausage Selection Matters: Choose high-quality Italian sausage for deeper flavor, and consider lean varieties to reduce overall fat content.
• Vegetable Prep Technique: Chop vegetables uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the soup.
• Bean Boost: Rinse canned cannellini beans thoroughly to reduce sodium and remove excess starch, enhancing the soup’s clean taste.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Substitute traditional pasta with gluten-free alternatives like quinoa or rice pasta without compromising the dish’s hearty character.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 750 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg