Description
A hearty and comforting Italian-inspired sausage minestrone soup made with savory sausage, tender vegetables, beans, pasta, and a rich tomato broth. Perfect for cozy dinners and meal prep.
Ingredients
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 2 medium carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 zucchini, diced
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 can (15 ounces) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup small pasta (such as ditalini or elbow)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add the Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain excess grease if needed.
- Stir in the diced onion, carrots, and celery and cook for about 5 minutes until softened.
- Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Mix in the zucchini, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, chicken broth, oregano, basil, thyme, salt, and black pepper.
- Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Stir in the beans and pasta and continue simmering for 10–12 minutes until pasta is tender.
- Add chopped spinach and cook for 2–3 minutes until wilted.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot topped with grated Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- Swap Italian sausage with turkey sausage for a lighter option.
- Use hot Italian sausage or red pepper flakes for added spice.
- Add green beans or bell peppers for extra vegetables.
- For lower-carb, replace pasta with cauliflower florets or reduce pasta amount.
- For vegetarian version, omit sausage and use vegetable broth with extra beans.
- Cook pasta separately if storing to prevent it from absorbing too much broth.
- Freeze without pasta for best texture, up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 980 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 9 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
