Description
Looking for a hearty meal? Try this delicious Italian Sausage Soup Recipe! Discover how to make this comforting dish at home.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (450g) Italian sausage, casings removed (sweet or hot, based on preference)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, diced (about 1 cup)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium carrots, diced (about 1 cup)
- 2 celery stalks, diced (about 1 cup)
- 1 medium zucchini, diced (about 1.5 cups)
- 1 can (14.5 oz/411g) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (8 oz/227g) tomato sauce
- 6 cups (1.4L) chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 cup (100g) small pasta like ditalini or orzo (optional)
- 1 can (15 oz/425g) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 cups (60g) fresh spinach or kale, roughly chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup (25g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Step 1: Brown the Sausage Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it into smaller chunks with a wooden spoon. Cook for 5-7 minutes until nicely browned and no longer pink. The caramelization adds tremendous depth to your Italian Sausage Soup, so don’t rush this step! Transfer about half the sausage to a paper towel-lined plate (you’ll add it back later for texture contrast) while leaving the flavorful drippings in the pot.
- Step 2: Create the Aromatic Base Reduce heat to medium and add the diced onion to the pot with the remaining sausage. Cook for 3-4 minutes until onions begin to soften. Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant. Now add the carrots and celery, cooking for an additional 4-5 minutes until they begin to soften. This layering of flavors creates the perfect foundation for your hearty sausage soup.
- Step 3: Build the Soup Pour in the diced tomatoes with their juice and the tomato sauce, stirring to combine. Add the chicken broth, dried herbs, bay leaf, and diced zucchini. Return the reserved sausage to the pot. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to maintain a simmer. Cover and let cook for 15-20 minutes, allowing the vegetables to become tender and the flavors to meld.
- Step 4: Add Remaining Components If using pasta, add it to the simmering soup now and cook according to package directions until al dente, usually 8-10 minutes. Stir in the drained and rinsed cannellini beans during the last 5 minutes of cooking. Finally, add the chopped spinach or kale and stir until just wilted, about 1-2 minutes. Remove bay leaf and taste the Italian Sausage Soup, adjusting salt and pepper as needed.
- Step 5: Serve and Garnish Ladle your steaming Italian Sausage Soup into warm bowls. Top each serving with a generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a scatter of chopped fresh herbs. Serve with crusty Italian bread for the perfect meal that warms from the inside out.
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 50mg