Minestrone Soup with Sausage (Italian Soup Recipe) (2024)

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Minestrone Soup with Sausage is a delicious take on the classic Italian soup loaded with veggies and beans. Flavorful Italian sausage turns this hearty minestrone soup in to a meal that's great for soup season or any occasion!

Minestrone Soup with Sausage (Italian Soup Recipe) (1)

If you love a hearty soup, this Minestrone Soup with Sausage is sure to be your new favorite. Filled with vegetables, beans, pasta, and chunks of Italian sausage, it's great recipe to have on hand for the colder months or whenever you are craving a delicious and filling soup.

If you love soups, don't miss my Turkey Orzo Soup, Pasta e fa*gioli, or Pasta e Ceci recipes. For a fun treat to serve with soup, try these Pinwheel Bread Rolls. And, if you love classic Italian dishes, don't miss this Pasta alla Norma made with eggplant, or Risotto alla Milanese.

You'll Love Minestrone Soup with Sausage

Classic Minestrone Soup gets a hearty upgrade when made with delicious Italian sausage. The flavors of the sausage work perfectly making this classic minestrone extra hearty and flavorful.

Minestrone is a classic Italian soup made with veggies, beans, and pasta in a tomato filled broth. Classic minestrone is vegetarian and does not contain any meat or dairy.

This recipe for minestrone soup with sausage a delicious variation of the classic recipe and great if you like an Italian sausage soup. It's hearty and filling, and great for colder months.

Minestrone Soup with Sausage (Italian Soup Recipe) (2)

You'll love that this soup is full of flavor and comes together fast. It's made a variety of fresh vegetables and beans and is both delicious and pretty to look at. Topped with parmesan cheese, it's truly the perfect one-pot meal.

So, if you love hearty soups with lots of flavor, be sure to give this minestrone soup with sausage a try. It's sure to be one of your new favorite soups.

Ingredients

Minestrone Soup with Sausage (Italian Soup Recipe) (3)
  • Italian sausage: you will need about three links of Italian sausage for this recipe. You can use spicy, mild, or sweet Italian sausage depending on your preference.
  • Zucchini: this recipe calls for a cup of zucchini which is about a medium zucchini, diced.
  • Celery: you will need about two stalks of celery here.
  • Carrots: either one large carrot or two smaller carrots work. Be sure to peel before using.
  • Onions: about half a medium onion is enough.
  • Olive Oil: a little bit of oil is need to cook the sausage and the veggies.
  • Garlic: fresh minced garlic cloves give this soup extra flavor.
  • Tomatoes: here you will need a combination of both tomato paste and canned diced tomatoes.
  • Broth: use chicken broth, chicken stock, beef broth, or vegetable broth for this recipe.
  • Beans: here, I use the classic minestrone beans, both kidney beans and small white or cannellini beans. Use the canned beans and just drain and rinse before adding to the soup.
  • Pasta: add a bit of small pasta shells to give the soup extra texture and flavor. You can substitute whatever small pasta you have on hand.
  • Spinach: use fresh spinach. You can frozen spinach if needed.
  • Parsley: a bit of parsley helps freshen up the flavors of the soup. Feel free to omit it if needed.
  • Parmesan: freshly grated parmesan is the classic way to finish up this minestrone soup with sausage.

How to Make Minestrone Soup with Sausage

To make minestrone soup with sausage you will need a large soup pot or a large dutch oven. Heat the pot over medium heat.

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Step 1: cook the sausage

Remove the Italian sausage from its casing. Pull apart the sausage into small chunks.

Add a tablespoon of oil to the large pot and cook sausage until no longer pink. Use a slotted spoon to remove the brown sausage from the pot; set aside.

Step 2: cook veggies

Add the remaining oil to the pot. Increase to medium-high heat and add in the diced zucchini, onions, carrots, and celery.

Use a wooden spoon and stir frequently to scrape up any brown bits on the bottom of the pan. Cook until the vegetables have softened, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 3: add broth

Once the veggies are cooked, add in the minced garlic, tomato paste, and Italian seasoning. Stir until the paste has melted into to the vegetables.

Pour in the canned diced tomatoes and broth. Bring the soup to a simmer and stir in the pasta shells and beans.

Step 4: finishing the soup

Once the pasta is al dente, add back in the cooked sausage and the spinach. Continue stirring the soup until the spinach has wilted.

Taste for seasonings and add kosher salt and black pepper as needed. Finish with a sprinkle of chopped parsley or fresh basil.

Minestrone Soup with Sausage (Italian Soup Recipe) (5)

This is a quick and delicious soup with so much flavor that's perfect for busy weeknights. Serve in a bowl topped with grated parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes (optional), and a slice of bread.

Recipe Tips

  • Serving: This recipe makes enough to serve 4-6 as a main course or 6-8 as a side or starter.
  • Sausage: use your favorite Italian sausage (hot, mild, or sweet) for this recipe. Remove the casing and break into chunks.
  • Make ahead: this is a great recipe to make ahead and have on hand for the week. To avoid the pasta soaking up too much of the liquid and getting mushy, store the cooked pasta separately from the soup and add it in before serving.
  • Leftovers: store leftover minestrone soup with sausage in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. You can also freeze in an airtight container for up to a month.
Minestrone Soup with Sausage (Italian Soup Recipe) (6)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you freeze minestrone soup?

To freeze minestrone soup, cool it to room temperature, transfer it to airtight containers or freezer-safe bags, leaving some space for expansion, and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months.

What to serve with minestrone soup?

Serve minestrone soup with crusty Italian bread or a side of garlic bread to soak up the delicious broth, and accompany it with a fresh garden salad tossed in a light vinaigrette for a delicious and satisfying meal.

Can you add sausage to minestrone soup?

Yes, you can minestrone soup with sausage for added flavor and protein, making it a heartier variation of the classic soup.

Minestrone Soup with Sausage (Italian Soup Recipe) (7)

More Italian Sausage Recipes

  • Focaccia Stuffing with Italian Sausage
  • Sausage Kale Bean Soup
  • Sausage Kale Pasta
  • Italian Sausage and Lentils

Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star rating in the recipe card below and/or review in the comments section further down the page.

Minestrone Soup with Sausage (Italian Soup Recipe) (12)

Print Recipe

5 from 6 votes

Minestrone Soup with Sausage

Hearty Italian minestrone soup loaded with vegetables, beans, pasta, and Italian sausage in a tomato broth.

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time20 minutes mins

Total Time30 minutes mins

Course: Main Course, Soup

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: Italian sausage, minestrone, soup

Servings: 8 servings

Calories: 383kcal

Equipment

  • large dutch oven or pot

Ingredients

  • ¾ pound Italian sausage, crumbled (about three links)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 1 cup zucchini, quartered and sliced (about a medium zucchini)
  • ½ cup onion, diced
  • ½ cup carrots, peeled and sliced (about 2 small carrots)
  • ½ cup celery, sliced (about 2 stalks)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • ¼ cup tomato paste
  • 14 ounce can diced tomatoes
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning blend (or dried oregano)
  • 15 ounce can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 15 ounce can small white beans
  • ½ cup cut green beans (frozen is fine)
  • ½ cup small shell pasta
  • 2 cups baby spinach leaves
  • ¼ cup chopped parsley
  • parmesan cheese for topping

Instructions

  • Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a dutch oven or large pot over medium high heat. Add in the crumbled Italian sausage and cook until the sauce is no longer pink, stirring frequently, about 5 minutes. Remove sausage from pan and set aside.

  • Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil in the same pot over medium high heat. Add in the zucchini, onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Cook until the vegetables are softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add in the minced garlic and season with salt and pepper to taste.

  • Stir in the tomato paste until its melted into the vegetables. Pour in the canned diced tomatoes, chicken broth, and Italian seasoning, and bring to a simmer. Add in the kidney beans, white beans, green beans, and pasta. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10-12 minutes or until the pasta is al dente.

  • Stir in the cooked sausage and spinach leaves and cook until the spinach leaves are wilted, about 2 minutes.

  • Add in chopped parsley. Pour the minestrone into soup bowls and sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese.

Notes

  • Serving: This recipe makes enough to serve 4-6 as a main course or 6-8 as a side or starter.
  • Sausage: use your favorite Italian sausage (hot, mild, or sweet) for this recipe. Remove the casing and break into chunks.
  • Make ahead: this is a great recipe to make ahead and have on hand for the week. To avoid the pasta soaking up too much of the liquid and getting mushy, store the cooked pasta separately from the soup and add it in before serving.
  • Leftovers: store leftover minestrone soup with sausage in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. You can also freeze in an airtight container for up to a month.

Nutrition

Calories: 383kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 35mg | Sodium: 841mg | Potassium: 1005mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 2499IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 127mg | Iron: 6mg

Minestrone Soup with Sausage (Italian Soup Recipe) (2024)

FAQs

What is the thickening agent for minestrone? ›

Use Tomato Paste For A Hearty, Thick Minestrone

You can prepare it at home or buy it in a tube and mix it with other food ingredients as needed. If your minestrone is too thin, add a few tablespoons of tomato paste while it's cooking. Start with 1 to 2 tablespoons, stir well, and see how it turns out.

How do you make minestrone soup thicker? ›

Add Flour Or Cornstarch

You can thicken soup by adding flour, cornstarch, or another starchy substitute. For the best results, never add flour or cornstarch directly to your soup. If you do, it will clump up on top. Instead, ladle a small amount of broth into a separate bowl and let it cool.

How to make minestrone soup Gordon Ramsay? ›

Method:
  1. Heat the olive oil in a large pan and add the onions, carrots, celery and some seasoning. ...
  2. Add the thyme, bay leaf and bacon. ...
  3. Tip in the borlotti beans and cherry tomatoes, then pour in the chicken stock or water to cover. ...
  4. Add the spaghetti and cook for 10 minutes.
Nov 6, 2023

How many calories are in sausage minestrone soup? ›

Campbell's Chunky, Minestrone with Italian Sausage (1 cup) contains 19g total carbs, 16g net carbs, 8g fat, 8g protein, and 180 calories.

What are the ingredients in minestrone soup? ›

Common ingredients include beans, onions, celery, carrots, stock, and tomatoes. There is no set recipe for minestrone, since it is usually made out of whatever vegetables are in season. It can be vegetarian, contain meat, or contain a meat-based soup base (such as chicken stock).

What is the best ingredient to thicken soup? ›

Cornstarch is a great option as it is a natural thickening agent, but you'll want to be careful about how much you use. Start with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch whisked together with cold water to create a slurry. Then, gradually add the slurry to the soup, letting it boil for one to two minutes before adding more.

How much liquid do you put in soup? ›

Start with 3 cups liquid and as the soup cooks, be prepared to add up to 2 cups more, depending on how much other stuff you end up adding to the pot. The goal is about 1½ cups of soup for each serving.

How to make soup thick and creamy? ›

Add Flour, Cornstarch, or Other Thickener: Starches thicken soup and give it body. Whisk a few tablespoons of starch into a little of the broth in a separate bowl before whisking it into the main pot. This prevents the starch from clumping and helps it dissolve into the soup evenly.

How can I deepen my soup flavor? ›

Dried herbs and seasonings: homemade seasoned salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and dried bay leaves lend flavor to the soup.

What is Olive Garden minestrone soup made of? ›

Ingredients- 2 Tbs olive oil; 1 onion diced (1 cup); 1 celery diced; 1 carrot, peeled & diced; 1 zucchini, chopped; 2 tsp minced garlic; 14 oz can diced tomato; 32 oz vegetable stock; 1 bay leaf; 1 1/2 Tbs Italian seasoning; 2 Tbs tomato paste; 15 oz canned small white beans, rinsed drained; 15 oz canned kidney beans ...

What does minestrone mean in Italian? ›

The word minestrone, meaning a thick vegetable soup, is attested in English from 1871. It is from Italian minestrone, the augmentative form of minestra, "soup", or more literally, "that which is served", from minestrare, "to serve" and cognate with administer as in "to administer a remedy".

Can you eat minestrone everyday? ›

Also known as chickpeas, garbanzos are the prime ingredients of a minestrone that is usually eaten at more than one meal, allowing the residents of Sardinia to get the benefits of beans at least twice a day. The Melis family of Sardinia ate this minestrone soup every day of their very long lives.

Is minestrone soup good for your gut? ›

It keeps the gut healthy

Minestrone is rich in fiber, which helps the intestines stay healthy.

Is Olive Garden minestrone soup healthy? ›

This hearty, healthy vegetarian soup is full of nutritional goodness. A combination of beans, vegetables, and optional pasta in a yummy broth that is flavorful, but not overly spicy.

What is the best thickener for vegetable soup? ›

Add flour or cornflour

Put a tablespoon of either into a small bowl and stir in 2-3 tbsp of the soup until you have a smooth mixture. Stir this back into the soup and bring it to a simmer. Cook for a few minutes to allow the starch granules to burst to thicken, and to cook out any flour flavour.

What do restaurants use to thicken soup? ›

Corn Starch

This completely versatile starch is used in savory and sweet dishes alike: gelatinizing fruit pie fillings or thickening your hefty, stick-to-your-bones soups.

Is it better to thicken soup with flour or cornstarch? ›

The most classic and surefire way to thicken a broth-based soup is with a cornstarch slurry. Whisk together equal parts cornstarch (or arrowroot) and water or broth, then whisk it into the pot of soup. A good ratio to get to a pleasant thickness without your soup tasting goopy or heavy is one tablespoon.

Is cornstarch or flour better for thickening soup? ›

It's important to note that cornstarch has twice the thickening power of flour. If you need to substitute cornstarch to thicken liquid in a recipe that calls for ¼ cup (four tablespoons) flour, you only need two tablespoons cornstarch.

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