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.
Ingredients
Scale
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)
Instructions
- 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.
- Drain any excess fat from the sausage, maintaining the delectable browned bits for deeper flavor complexity.
- Incorporate aromatic vegetables – onions, garlic, carrots, and celery – sautéing until they become tender and release their fragrant essence.
- Introduce zucchini, bell peppers, diced tomatoes, and beans to the pot, stirring to integrate the ingredients and create a vibrant vegetable medley.
- Pour chicken broth into the mixture, seasoning generously with Italian herbs, salt, black pepper, and a hint of red pepper flakes for subtle heat.
- Allow the soup to reach a gentle boil, then reduce heat and let simmer, allowing flavors to meld and develop for approximately 15 minutes.
- Introduce pasta directly into the simmering liquid, cooking until it reaches perfect al dente texture, typically around 10 minutes.
- Brighten the soup’s profile by folding in fresh spinach or kale, letting the greens wilt and integrate seamlessly into the robust soup.
- Carefully ladle the steaming minestrone into serving bowls, crowning each portion with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese and freshly chopped parsley.
- 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