Cozy Sausage and Vegetable Soup Recipe for Chilly Evenings

Warm comfort seems to radiate through every spoonful of this hearty sausage and vegetable soup.

Savory aromas drift from the pot, promising deliciousness ahead.

Rustic ingredients mingle together, creating a robust meal that feels like a culinary hug.

Seasonal produce blends seamlessly with robust sausage, delivering deep flavors in each bite.

Nutritious vegetables add color and texture to this satisfying dish.

Chunky pieces of meat and crisp vegetables make each serving feel substantial and fulfilling.

We love how simple ingredients can create such a memorable meal that feeds both body and soul.

Grab a ladle and treat yourself to pure, homemade happiness.

Tips That Bring Out the Best in Sausage and Vegetable Soup

• Boost Flavor Intensity: Swap regular sausage for spicy Italian sausage to add extra depth and kick to the soup's taste profile.
• Customize Vegetable Selection: Feel free to swap or add seasonal vegetables like butternut squash or kale to match your preferences or what's available in your kitchen.
• Control Sodium Levels: Use low-sodium broth and reduce added salt if watching your sodium intake, allowing you to manage the soup's overall saltiness.
• Make It Gluten-Free: Replace regular pasta with gluten-free pasta or quinoa to accommodate dietary restrictions without compromising the soup's hearty texture.
• Meal Prep Friendly: This soup stores wonderfully in the refrigerator for 3-4 days and actually develops richer flavors overnight, making it perfect for advance preparation.

Reheating and Storing Sausage and Vegetable Soup

• Store leftover soup in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Properly sealed, it will stay fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Transfer cooled soup to freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months. Avoid freezing pasta, as it becomes mushy when thawed.
• Warm gently in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of broth if the soup seems too thick. Heat until steaming and reaching 165°F.
• Defrost overnight in the refrigerator. Pour into a pot and warm slowly, stirring to restore texture. Add fresh pasta or spinach after reheating for best results.

What Goes Well with Sausage and Vegetable Soup

• Choose a robust Chianti or Sangiovese to complement the rich, savory sausage and balance the vegetable medley's brightness.
• Serve with a crusty sourdough or herbed focaccia to soak up the soup's flavorful broth and add delightful texture contrast.
• Top the soup with freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano to introduce a salty, nutty depth that elevates the entire dish's complexity.
• Prepare a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to cut through the soup's richness and provide a refreshing palate cleanser.

Ways to Rethink Sausage and Vegetable Soup

• Vegetarian Sausage Swap: Replace meat sausage with plant-based sausage or crumbled extra-firm tofu seasoned with Italian herbs for a protein-packed vegetarian version.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free pasta or replace pasta with quinoa or rice to make the soup celiac-friendly and safe for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Swap pasta with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles to reduce carbohydrate content while maintaining the soup's hearty texture and flavor profile.
• Spicy Kick Version: Add red pepper flakes, diced jalapeños, or a splash of hot sauce to elevate the soup's heat and create a more intense flavor experience.

Your Top Questions About Sausage and Vegetable Soup

• Is this soup nutritious?

Yes, it’s packed with protein from sausage and loaded with various vegetables like zucchini, carrots, bell peppers, and spinach, providing a balanced and healthy meal with multiple nutrients.

• Can I use different types of sausage?

Absolutely! You can swap Italian sausage with chicken sausage, turkey sausage, or even plant-based sausage depending on your dietary preferences and taste.

• How can I make this soup more filling?

Consider adding beans like cannellini or kidney beans, or increasing the pasta quantity to create a heartier soup that provides more sustained energy.

• Is this soup suitable for meal prep?

Definitely! This soup keeps well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days and can be easily reheated, making it perfect for preparing ahead of time for quick weekday meals.

Why Sausage and Vegetable Soup Is Worth Making

• Loaded with colorful veggies like zucchini, carrots, bell peppers, and spinach, this soup delivers a powerful punch of vitamins and minerals in every spoonful.
• Easily swap sausage for ground turkey or make it vegetarian by using plant-based protein, allowing you to adapt the recipe to your dietary preferences and pantry ingredients.
• Minimize cleanup with this single-pot recipe that combines protein, vegetables, and pasta into a satisfying meal that saves time and reduces dish washing.

Must-Have Ingredients for Sausage and Vegetable Soup

• Sausage: Hearty meat base that adds rich, savory flavor to the soup, choose Italian-style or spicy sausage for extra depth.

• Onion, Garlic: Aromatic base that builds foundational flavor profile, fresh is always best.
• Carrots, Celery, Zucchini, Bell Pepper: Colorful mix providing texture and nutritional variety, select seasonal and firm vegetables.
• Green Beans: Adds green color and light crunch, fresh or frozen work well.
• Baby Spinach: Tender leafy green that wilts quickly, provides iron and vibrant color.

• Olive Oil: Helps brown sausage and prevent sticking, use extra virgin for best flavor.
• Diced Tomatoes: Adds acidity and moisture, canned variety works perfectly.
• Broth: Creates soup base, chicken or vegetable stock recommended.
• Pasta (Optional): Adds heartiness and substance, short shapes like shells or rotini work best.
• Italian Seasoning, Thyme, Salt, Pepper: Herb and spice blend that enhances overall soup flavor.
• Fresh Parsley: Bright garnish that adds fresh herb notes, optional but recommended.

How to Cook Sausage and Vegetable Soup Easily

Step 1: Sizzle The Sausage

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium flame. Add sausage and break into small crumbles while cooking until golden brown. Drain extra fat if necessary.

Step 2: Dance The Vegetables

• Onions
• Garlic

• Carrots
• Celery
• Zucchini
• Bell peppers

Cook for 5 minutes until vegetables start softening.

Step 3: Build The Flavor Base

• Diced tomatoes
• Chicken broth
• Italian seasoning
• Thyme
• Salt
• Black pepper

Bring soup to a rolling boil, then reduce heat. Let simmer for 15-20 minutes until vegetables become tender.

Step 4: Complete The Soup

• Green beans
• Pasta (optional)

Simmer for additional 10 minutes. Add baby spinach and cook until gently wilted.

Step 5: Serve With Love

Check seasoning and adjust if needed. Sprinkle fresh parsley on top. Serve piping hot alongside crusty bread or crispy crackers.

Sausage and Vegetable Soup Recipe

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4.6 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Hearty Sausage and Vegetable Soup delights with robust Italian sausage and garden-fresh vegetables simmering in a rich, comforting broth. Warm spoons will carry each spoonful of this soul-satisfying meal straight to hungry hearts craving wholesome winter comfort.

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Ingredients

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Main Proteins:

• 1 lb (500 g) Italian sausage (mild or spicy)

Vegetables:

• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 medium carrots, sliced
• 2 celery stalks, sliced
• 1 medium zucchini, diced
• 1 medium bell pepper, diced (any color)
• 1 cup green beans, trimmed and cut into pieces
• 1 cup baby spinach (optional)
• 1 can (14.5 oz / 400 g) diced tomatoes (with juice)

Seasonings and Liquids:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 4 cups (1 liter) chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
• ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium flame, introducing sausage and crumbling while browning thoroughly. Drain excess grease to ensure clean flavor profile.
2. Incorporate aromatic onions and garlic, sautéing until translucent and releasing fragrant notes. Quickly introduce chopped carrots, celery, zucchini, and vibrant bell peppers, allowing vegetables to soften and develop gentle caramelization.
3. Pour diced tomatoes with their natural juices, complementing with rich broth. Season generously with Italian herbs, thyme, salt, and pepper. Elevate temperature to achieve rapid boil, then reduce to gentle simmer, allowing ingredients to meld and vegetables to become perfectly tender.
4. Integrate green beans and optional pasta, continuing gentle cooking process. Permit pasta to absorb surrounding flavors while achieving ideal texture. Delicately fold baby spinach into soup’s surface, watching leaves wilt and integrate seamlessly into liquid landscape.
5. Conduct final taste assessment, refining seasoning as necessary. Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley across surface for visual appeal and herbal brightness. Present steaming hot, accompanied by rustic bread or crisp crackers for complementary texture experience.

Notes

• Choose spicy sausage like chorizo or andouille for extra flavor kick.
• Swap out meat-based sausage with plant-based alternatives for vegetarian version.
• Experiment with different seasonal vegetables to keep the soup versatile and exciting.
• Use gluten-free pasta or skip pasta entirely to make recipe low-carb and celiac-friendly.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 260
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 720 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 15 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 14 g
• Cholesterol: 45 mg