**Shortcut Sausage Minestrone: A Hearty and Flavorful Soup for Busy Weeknights**
This comforting and hearty soup is perfect for chilly evenings, and it's packed with vegetables, sausage, and pasta. The best part? It can be made in just 30 minutes, thanks to the use of pre-cooked sausage and frozen vegetables. Serve it with a side of crusty bread or a green salad for a complete and satisfying meal. In addition to the classic sausage minestrone, this article also includes three variations: a vegetarian version, a slow-cooker version, and a one-pot version. So, whether you're short on time, looking for a meatless option, or prefer to let your slow cooker do the work, we've got you covered.
MINESTRONE WITH ITALIAN SAUSAGE
I make this zippy, satisfying soup all the time, and it's my dad's favorite. The recipe makes a lot, and I have found that it freezes well and tastes just as great reheated. -Linda Reis Salem, Oregon
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch
Time 1h25m
Yield 11 servings (about 3 quarts).
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- In a Dutch oven, cook sausage and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the carrots, celery and leek; cook for 3 minutes. Add the zucchini, green beans and garlic; cook 1 minute longer. , Stir in the broth, tomatoes, cabbage, basil, oregano and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 45 minutes. , Return to a boil. Stir in the garbanzo beans, pasta and parsley. Cook for 6-9 minutes or until pasta is tender. Serve with cheese.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 253 calories, Fat 15g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 33mg cholesterol, Sodium 910mg sodium, Carbohydrate 18g carbohydrate (6g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 12g protein.
HEARTY SAUSAGE MINESTRONE
As a teacher, I appreciate quick and easy recipes. If I make this for just my husband and me, we have leftovers for lunches. But when there are more people at the table, every bit is eaten. -Tami Stoudt, Evans, Colorado
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch
Time 30m
Yield 8 servings (3-1/2 quarts).
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- In a Dutch oven, cook sausage, onion, celery and carrots over medium heat 8-10 minutes or until sausage is no longer pink and onion is tender, breaking sausage into crumbles; drain., Stir in tomatoes, beans, broth, garlic powder and pepper; bring to a boil. Add pasta; cook, covered, 6-8 minutes or until pasta is tender. Freeze option: Freeze cooled minestrone in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through in a saucepan, stirring occasionally; add a little broth if necessary.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 372 calories, Fat 13g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 33mg cholesterol, Sodium 1481mg sodium, Carbohydrate 44g carbohydrate (9g sugars, Fiber 9g fiber), Protein 18g protein.
SHORTCUT MINESTRONE
"This soup is hearty and makes a comforting lunch or dinner on a brisk day," relates Barbara Jellison from Bellevue, Washington. "The spaghetti sauce provides rich flavor without a long simmering time. I further cut the prep time by using my food processor to chop the vegetables.
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch
Time 35m
Yield 10 servings (2-1/2 quarts).
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- In a Dutch oven or soup kettle, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Using a slotted spoon, remove to paper towels. Drain, reserving 2 tablespoons drippings; set bacon aside. In the drippings, saute onion and carrots for 3-4 minutes or until tender. Add garlic; cook 2 minutes longer., Stir in the spaghetti sauce, broth and beans. Bring to a boil. Add the pasta, brown sugar, basil and oregano. Cook, uncovered, for 8-10 minutes or until pasta is tender, stirring occasionally. Add green beans; cook 5 minutes longer or until heated through. Garnish with reserved bacon and Parmesan cheese if desired.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 188 calories, Fat 3g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 2mg cholesterol, Sodium 560mg sodium, Carbohydrate 31g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 7g fiber), Protein 10g protein. Diabetic Exchanges
WINTER MINESTRONE
Provided by Giada De Laurentiis
Categories main-dish
Time 55m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Heat the oil in a heavy large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, celery, pancetta, and garlic. Saute until the onion is translucent, about 10 minutes. Add the Swiss chard and potato; saute for 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes and rosemary sprig. Simmer until the chard is wilted and the tomatoes break down, about 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, blend 3/4 cup of the beans with 1/4 cup of the broth in a processor until almost smooth. Add the pureed bean mixture, remaining broth, and Parmesan cheese rind to the vegetable mixture. Simmer until the potato pieces are tender, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes. Stir in the whole beans and parsley. Simmer until the beans are heated through and the soup is thick, about 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Discard Parmesan rind and rosemary sprig (the leaves will have fallen off of the stem.)
- Ladle the soup into bowls and serve.
ITALIAN SAUSAGE MINESTRONE
This no-fuss minestrone is perfect family fare on chilly days. Feeling daring? Substitute a can of butter beans or pinto beans for one of the cans of cannellini beans. I serve it with warm with crusty French bread for dipping into the broth.-Elizabeth Renteria, Vancouver, Washington
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch
Time 1h35m
Yield 13 servings (3-1/4 quarts).
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- In a Dutch oven, cook sausage over medium heat until no longer pink; drain., In the same pan, saute the carrots, celery, onion and garlic in oil until tender. Stir in the broth, beans, tomatoes, bay leaves, Italian seasoning, tomato paste and sausage. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 30 minutes, adding pasta during the last 6-8 minutes. Cook, uncovered, until pasta is tender., Freeze option: Before adding pasta, cool soup. Freeze soup and cheese separately in freezer containers for up to 3 months. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Place in a Dutch oven. Bring to a boil. Stir in pasta; return to a boil. Reduce heat; cook, uncovered, for 6-8 minutes or until pasta is tender. Serve with cheese.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 280 calories, Fat 15g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 27mg cholesterol, Sodium 828mg sodium, Carbohydrate 25g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 12g protein.
SHORTCUT MINESTRONE SOUP
Provided by My Food and Family
Categories Home
Time 30m
Yield Makes 8 servings, 1-1/2 cups each.
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Place all ingredients in large Dutch oven or stockpot.
- Bring to boil on medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer 15 min. or until carrots are tender, stirring occasionally.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 150, Fat 3 g, SaturatedFat 0 g, TransFat 0 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Sodium 490 mg, Carbohydrate 0 g, Fiber 4 g, Sugar 0 g, Protein 11 g
MINESTRONE WITH ITALIAN SAUSAGE
Need a hearty warmer-upper? Make a one-pot soup packed with meat, beans and pasta to satisfy hungry appetites.
Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens
Categories Entree
Time 45m
Yield 7
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- In 5-quart Dutch oven, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add sausage, onion, carrots, basil and garlic; cook 5 to 7 minutes, stirring frequently, until sausage is no longer pink; drain.
- Stir broth, tomatoes and great northern beans into sausage mixture. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and cook 7 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in macaroni, zucchini and frozen green beans. Heat to boiling. Cook over medium-high heat 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are hot and macaroni is tender.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 380, Carbohydrate 38 g, Cholesterol 25 mg, Fat 1 1/2, Fiber 6 g, Protein 20 g, SaturatedFat 5 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 1400 mg, Sugar 5 g, TransFat 0 g
Tips:
- Mise en place: Chop and measure all ingredients before starting to cook. This will help you stay organized and ensure that you don't forget anything.
- Use a variety of vegetables: This will give your soup more flavor and texture. Some good options include carrots, celery, onions, potatoes, and tomatoes.
- Use a good quality broth: The broth is the base of your soup, so it's important to use a good quality one. Look for a broth that is flavorful and not too salty.
- Don't overcook the vegetables: You want the vegetables to be tender but still have a little bit of bite to them. Overcooked vegetables will be mushy and flavorless.
- Season to taste: Add salt and pepper to taste and adjust the seasonings as needed. You may also want to add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little bit of heat.
- Serve with a side of crusty bread or crackers: This will help to soak up all of the delicious broth.
Conclusion:
This shortcut sausage minestrone soup is a quick and easy meal that is packed with flavor. It's perfect for a weeknight dinner or a casual lunch. With a few simple ingredients and steps, you can have a delicious and hearty soup that the whole family will enjoy. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give this shortcut sausage minestrone soup a try. You won't be disappointed!
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