Minestrone Soup with Sausage

Warm up with a hearty and flavorful bowl of Minestrone Soup with Sausage—a comforting twist on the classic Italian soup. This recipe combines savory Italian sausage, vibrant vegetables like zucchini and green beans, and tender pasta in a rich, tomato-based broth infused with aromatic herbs like oregano, basil, and thyme. Protein-packed kidney and cannellini beans add satisfying texture, while a finishing touch of fresh spinach brings a pop of color and nutrition. Perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep, this one-pot wonder is ready in just over an hour and pairs beautifully with crusty bread and Parmesan cheese. Whether you choose mild or spicy sausage, this dish is bursting with bold, comforting flavors that are sure to please the whole family.

Nutriscore Rating: 74/100

Prep Time:25 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:70 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy, casings removed)
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 2 large carrots, peeled and diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 medium zucchini, diced
• 1 cup green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
• 28 ounces crushed tomatoes (canned)
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 15 ounces kidney beans (canned, drained and rinsed)
• 15 ounces cannellini beans (canned, drained and rinsed)
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 0.5 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 cup small pasta (e.g., ditalini or elbow)
• 2 cups fresh spinach leaves
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese (optional, for serving)

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the sausage and cook until browned, breaking it up into small pieces with a wooden spoon. Remove the sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside.

Step 3

In the same pot, add the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5 minutes until the vegetables are softened.

Step 4

Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 5

Stir in the zucchini and green beans, cooking for another 3 minutes.

Step 6

Add the crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, kidney beans, cannellini beans, oregano, basil, thyme, and bay leaf. Stir to combine.

Step 7

Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and let it simmer for 20 minutes.

Step 8

Return the cooked sausage to the pot, stir in the pasta, and cook for 8-10 minutes or until the pasta is tender.

Step 9

Add the fresh spinach leaves, salt, and pepper. Stir until the spinach is wilted, about 2 minutes.

Step 10

Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

Step 11

Serve hot, garnished with Parmesan cheese if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	4865.2 grams (4865.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3741

Total Fat 177.30g	227%
Saturated Fat 64.90g	325%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.70g
Cholesterol 415mg	138%
Sodium 13695mg	595%
Total Carbohydrate 324.00g	118%
Dietary Fiber 78.00g	279%
Total Sugars 66.70g
Protein 220.70g	441%

Vitamin D 48IU	238%
Calcium 2367mg	182%
Iron 37mg	206%
Potassium 9259mg	197%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 42.3%

Protein: 23.4%

Carbs: 34.3%