Description
This Sausage Minestrone Soup is a hearty, flavorful twist on the classic! Packed with Italian sausage, loads of vegetables, and pasta, it’s a cozy meal that’s both healthy and filling. The addition of pesto and parmesan brings it all together!
Ingredients
- For the Soup: 16 ounces mild Italian sausage 1 medium onion, chopped 1 1/2 cups celery, chopped 1 1/2 cups carrots, chopped 1 6-ounce can tomato paste 2 tablespoons garlic, minced 1 tablespoon dried oregano 1 15-ounce can Italian-style diced tomatoes 5 cups chicken broth 1 15-ounce can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed 1 15-ounce can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed 1 cup zucchini, chopped 1 cup yellow squash, chopped 1/2 cup dry ditalini pasta 2 cups baby spinach Basil pesto, to garnish Grated parmesan cheese, to garnish
Instructions
- Brown the Sausage:
In a large soup pot, brown the Italian sausage over medium to medium-high heat. Drain the fat. Meanwhile, chop the onion, celery, carrots, and garlic. - Cook Vegetables:
Add the tomato paste, onions, celery, carrots, garlic, and dried oregano to the pot. Sauté for about 5 minutes. - Simmer:
Add the can of Italian tomatoes and chicken broth. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for about 30-45 minutes, until the carrots are tender. - Add Beans, Veggies, and Pasta:
Stir in the cannellini beans, kidney beans, zucchini, yellow squash, and dry pasta. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cook for about 10 minutes, until the pasta is tender. You can add more chicken broth if needed to adjust the soup’s consistency. - Finish Soup:
Turn off the heat and stir in the spinach. Let it wilt for about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. - Serve:
Garnish each bowl with a teaspoon of pesto and a few grates of Parmesan cheese. - Slow Cooker Instructions:
Follow steps 1 through 4, then pour everything into the slow cooker. Add the tomatoes and chicken broth, cover, and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Stir in the beans, zucchini, yellow squash, and pasta, and cook on high for another 10-15 minutes until pasta is al dente. Stir in the spinach and cook for an additional 2 minutes. Garnish and serve.
Notes
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Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 35mg