Minestrone with Italian Sausage
Warm, hearty, and bursting with bold flavors, Minestrone with Italian Sausage is the ultimate comfort soup that combines rich Italian tradition with a savory twist. This recipe elevates classic minestrone by adding either spicy or mild Italian sausage, lending depth and mouthwatering spice to every bite. Packed with nutritious vegetables like zucchini, carrots, and kale, along with hearty beans and perfectly tender pasta, this one-pot wonder is as wholesome as it is delicious. Simmered in a fragrant broth seasoned with oregano, basil, and garlic, it’s a meal that feels like a warm embrace. Topped with freshly grated Parmesan and a sprinkle of parsley, and served alongside crusty bread, this soup is perfect for cozy weeknight dinners or impressing guests with its rustic Italian flair. Ready in just about an hour, it’s a go-to for busy cooks seeking flavor and nourishment.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound mild or spicy Italian sausage
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 1 medium zucchini, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 28 ounces diced tomatoes (canned, with juices)
- 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 15 ounces cannellini beans (canned, drained and rinsed)
- 15 ounces kidney beans (canned, drained and rinsed)
- 2 cups kale or spinach, chopped
- 1 cup small pasta (such as ditalini or elbow)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 0.25 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- to taste Parmesan cheese, grated (for garnish)
- to taste fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
Add the Italian sausage, breaking it into small crumbles with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside.
In the same pot, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Sauté the diced onion, celery, and carrots for 5 minutes, until softened and fragrant.
Stir in the zucchini and garlic, and cook for another 2 minutes.
Add the diced tomatoes (with their juices), chicken or vegetable broth, cannellini beans, and kidney beans to the pot. Stir to combine.
Return the cooked sausage to the pot and bring the mixture to a boil.
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the dried oregano, dried basil, salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using). Cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
After 15 minutes, add the small pasta and kale (or spinach) to the soup. Simmer uncovered for an additional 10 minutes, or until the pasta is cooked to your desired tenderness.
Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
Serve hot, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley. Pair with crusty bread for a complete meal.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3243 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 154.3 g | 198% | |
| Saturated Fat | 44.1 g | 220% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 306 mg | 102% | |
| Sodium | 14284 mg | 621% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 327.7 g | 119% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 78.6 g | 281% | |
| Total Sugars | 59.1 g | ||
| Protein | 170.7 g | 341% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 1586 mg | 122% | |
| Iron | 32.4 mg | 180% | |
| Potassium | 9052 mg | 193% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
