Hearty Sausage Minestrone Soup Recipe for Cozy Comfort

Hearty sausage minestrone soup brings warmth to chilly evenings with its robust Italian-inspired flavors.

Seasonal vegetables dance alongside tender meat in this comforting classic.

Packed with nutrition and deeply satisfying, this recipe transforms simple ingredients into a memorable meal.

Layers of rich broth create depth that whispers of traditional kitchen wisdom.

Chunky vegetables and savory sausage mingle beautifully, promising a bowl full of rustic comfort.

Sausage Minestrone Soup Is a Hearty Hug in a Bowl

• Warm, satisfying soup that wraps you in delicious comfort with every spoonful, perfect for chilly evenings and quick family meals.
• Ready in under 45 minutes, this one-pot wonder delivers maximum flavor without complicated cooking techniques or extensive prep time.
• Packed with protein from sausage, fiber-rich beans, colorful vegetables, and leafy greens, providing a balanced and wholesome meal in a single bowl.
• Easy to adapt with different proteins, swap vegetables, adjust spice levels, and accommodate dietary preferences while maintaining incredible taste.

What You’ll Need for Sausage Minestrone Soup

• Italian Sausage: Adds rich, spicy flavor and hearty protein to the soup, choose a mild or hot variety based on preference.
• Chicken Broth: Creates the liquid base for the soup, provides depth of flavor and moisture.

• Onion, Garlic, Carrots, Celery: Classic soup base that builds foundational flavor, fresh and crisp vegetables work best.
• Zucchini, Bell Pepper: Adds color, texture, and nutrition to the soup, choose ripe and firm vegetables.
• Spinach or Kale: Provides nutrients and freshness, adds bright green color at the end of cooking.
• Diced Tomatoes: Contributes acidity and rich tomato flavor, canned varieties work perfectly.

• Beans: Adds protein and texture, white or red kidney beans are traditional choices.
• Pasta: Provides substance and fills out the soup, small shapes like ditalini work well.
• Italian Seasoning: Blends herbs for authentic Italian flavor, a mix of dried herbs like oregano and basil.
• Salt, Black Pepper, Red Pepper Flakes: Enhance overall seasoning and add mild heat.
• Olive Oil: Used for sautéing and adding richness.
• Parmesan Cheese: Garnish that adds salty, nutty flavor.
• Fresh Parsley: Adds bright, fresh garnish and color.

Steps for a Warm Bowl of Sausage Minestrone

Step 1: Brown the Sausage

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Crumble Italian sausage into the pot and cook until golden brown and crispy. Drain extra fat if needed.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatic Vegetables

• Chopped onions
• Minced garlic
• Diced carrots
• Chopped celery

Cook for 3-4 minutes until vegetables become soft and fragrant.

Step 3: Build the Soup Base

• Zucchini chunks
• Diced bell peppers
• Canned diced tomatoes
• Kidney or cannellini beans

Stir everything together.

Step 4: Season and Simmer

• Italian seasoning
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Red pepper flakes

Bring to a gentle boil, then lower heat and simmer for 15 minutes.

Step 5: Add Pasta

Stir in pasta and cook until tender, about 10 minutes.

Step 6: Incorporate Greens

Add fresh spinach or kale, cooking until wilted and bright green.

Step 7: Finish and Serve

Ladle soup into bowls. Top with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley. Serve with crusty bread or garlic toast on the side.

Soup-Making Tips That Make a Difference

• Customize Sausage Intensity: Choose mild or spicy Italian sausage based on your heat preference to personalize the soup's flavor profile.
• Pasta Perfection: Cook pasta separately and add to individual bowls to prevent overcooking and maintain ideal texture when storing leftovers.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the soup without pasta, refrigerate, and add fresh pasta when reheating to keep noodles from becoming mushy.
• Vegetarian Transformation: Replace sausage with plant-based sausage or extra beans and use vegetable broth for a meat-free version of this hearty soup.
• Nutrient Boost: Swap spinach for kale or add extra vegetables like Swiss chard to increase nutritional value and create more diverse textures.

Save and Reheat Minestrone Soup Like a Pro

• Store leftover soup in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. Let the soup cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Transfer cooled soup to freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months. Pro tip: Separate pasta from soup before freezing to maintain texture.
• Warm soup over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of chicken broth to restore moisture if needed. Heat until thoroughly hot and steaming.
• Pour soup into a microwave-safe bowl, cover loosely, and heat in 1-minute intervals. Stir between intervals to ensure even heating. Check temperature before serving.

What Complements a Bowl of Sausage Minestrone

• Bold Italian red wines like Chianti or Sangiovese complement the hearty sausage and rich tomato base, enhancing the soup's robust Mediterranean flavors.
• Serve with warm, crusty sourdough or rustic Italian bread to soak up the delicious broth and add textural contrast to the soup's soft ingredients.
• Sprinkle a zesty herb mixture of chopped parsley, lemon zest, and garlic over the soup to brighten the flavors and add a fresh, aromatic dimension.
• Prepare a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the soup's richness and provide a refreshing accompaniment with tangy, peppery notes.

Minestrone Variations to Keep Things Interesting

• Vegetarian Minestrone: Replace Italian sausage with plant-based sausage or extra firm tofu crumbles. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for a completely meat-free version.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap regular pasta with gluten-free pasta or quinoa. Ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free to accommodate celiac or gluten-sensitive diners.
• Low-Carb Option: Substitute pasta with spiralized zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice. Reduce beans and increase non-starchy vegetables like mushrooms and additional greens for a lower-carbohydrate profile.
• Instant Pot Version: Brown sausage using sauté function, add remaining ingredients except pasta and spinach. Pressure cook for 8 minutes, quick release, then add pasta and cook for additional 3-4 minutes until tender.

Soup Questions Answered: Sausage Minestrone Edition

• Is minestrone soup healthy?

Absolutely! This soup is packed with nutrients from vegetables, lean protein from sausage, and fiber-rich beans. It’s a balanced meal that provides essential vitamins and minerals while being low in calories.

• Can I make this soup vegetarian?

Yes, simply replace the Italian sausage with plant-based sausage or extra beans. You can also add more vegetables like mushrooms for a hearty texture and protein alternative.

• How do I prevent pasta from getting mushy?

Add pasta towards the end of cooking and only simmer it for 10 minutes. Using shorter pasta shapes like shells or rotini works best and helps maintain the right texture throughout the soup.

• What if I don't have Italian seasoning?

No worries! Create your own blend using dried oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary. These herbs will give your soup an authentic Italian flavor profile similar to traditional Italian seasoning.

Sausage Minestrone Soup Recipe

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4.8 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty sausage minestrone soup delivers Italian countryside comfort in one delicious bowl. Packed with robust vegetables, tender sausage, and rich tomato broth, you’ll savor each spoonful of this classic Mediterranean-inspired comfort meal.

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Ingredients

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Proteins:

• 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy), casings removed
• 4 cups chicken broth
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 1 zucchini, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 2 cups fresh spinach or kale, chopped

Pantry and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
• 1 (15 oz) can cannellini or kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• ¾ cup small pasta (ditalini, elbow, or small shells)
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• Crusty bread (for serving)

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Instructions

1. Create a flavorful base by heating olive oil in a spacious pot over medium-high temperature, then introduce Italian sausage and thoroughly crumble while cooking until developing a rich, golden-brown exterior.
2. Drain any excess fat from the sausage, maintaining the delectable browned bits for deeper flavor complexity.
3. Incorporate aromatic vegetables – onions, garlic, carrots, and celery – sautéing until they become tender and release their fragrant essence.
4. Introduce zucchini, bell peppers, diced tomatoes, and beans to the pot, stirring to integrate the ingredients and create a vibrant vegetable medley.
5. Pour chicken broth into the mixture, seasoning generously with Italian herbs, salt, black pepper, and a hint of red pepper flakes for subtle heat.
6. Allow the soup to reach a gentle boil, then reduce heat and let simmer, allowing flavors to meld and develop for approximately 15 minutes.
7. Introduce pasta directly into the simmering liquid, cooking until it reaches perfect al dente texture, typically around 10 minutes.
8. Brighten the soup’s profile by folding in fresh spinach or kale, letting the greens wilt and integrate seamlessly into the robust soup.
9. Carefully ladle the steaming minestrone into serving bowls, crowning each portion with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese and freshly chopped parsley.
10. Accompany the soup with crusty bread or garlic toast for a complete, satisfying meal.

Notes

• Choose lean or plant-based sausage for a healthier version of the soup, reducing overall fat content while maintaining rich flavor.
• Swap traditional pasta with gluten-free alternatives like quinoa or zucchini noodles to accommodate dietary restrictions without compromising taste.
• Enhance nutrient density by adding extra vegetables like kale, Swiss chard, or diced butternut squash for increased vitamins and minerals.
• Prepare soup in advance and store in refrigerator for up to 4 days, allowing flavors to meld and intensify, creating an even more delicious meal.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 380
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg