Italian Sausage And Vegetable Soup
A hearty Italian sausage and vegetable soup packed with savory flavors, fresh vegetables, and herbs, perfect for comforting family meals or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
- 2 Italian sweet sausages ⓘ
- 1 large onion ⓘ
- 1 small carrot
- 1 rib fennel or celery ⓘ
- 1 large clove garlic ⓘ
- 1 cup tomatoes (fresh or canned) ⓘ
- 6 cups low salt meat or vegetable stock ⓘ
- 1 cup cooked rice or barley ⓘ
- 1/2 cup corn kernels ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon dried fennel seed (optional) ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon thyme or marjoram ⓘ
Instructions
- Slit the sausage casing and crumble the meat into a large, heavy pot.
- Cook over low heat, breaking up the meat as it colors.
- Pour off excess fat once the sausage is browned, leaving brown bits in the pot.
- Add chopped onion and cook until softened, stirring occasionally.
- Add diced carrot, fennel or celery, and minced garlic; cook and stir for a few minutes.
- If available, add chopped raw or cooked vegetables such as beans, broccoli, cabbage, or spinach.
- Add tomatoes with their juices, stock, cooked rice or barley, corn kernels, fennel seed (if using), and herbs; cover and simmer for 30 minutes or longer.
- Discard the bay leaf before serving, then season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve the soup with good crusty bread.
Tips & Substitutions
For added depth, consider incorporating a splash of white wine while cooking the sausage. If you want to make this soup vegetarian, substitute the sausage with plant-based meat alternatives and use vegetable stock. Fresh herbs can enhance the flavor, so feel free to add basil or parsley at the end. You can also use frozen vegetables if fresh ones aren’t available.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this hearty soup with good crusty bread for dipping, making it a satisfying meal. You might also consider pairing it with a simple green salad dressed with vinaigrette for a refreshing contrast. This soup pairs beautifully with Auntie Vail's Italian Sausage Sandwich for a complete Italian-themed dinner.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm the soup on the stove over medium heat, adding a splash of water or broth if it has thickened. This soup also freezes well; just make sure to cool it completely before transferring it to freezer-safe bags.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Italian Sausage And Vegetable Soup contains roughly 252 calories, with 7g protein, 54g carbohydrates, and 3g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (125% of the Daily Value), vitamin C (70% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (46% of the Daily Value), and a good source of calcium and protein. It also contributes 13g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use other types of sausage for this recipe?
Absolutely! While Italian sweet sausage adds authentic flavor, you can experiment with spicy sausage for a kick or chicken sausage for a lighter option. Just adjust the seasoning accordingly to maintain the soup's overall flavor profile.
Is it possible to make this soup in a slow cooker?
Yes, you can make this soup in a slow cooker! Brown the sausage and vegetables in a pan first, then transfer them to the slow cooker with the other ingredients. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours for a delicious, slow-cooked flavor.
What can I do if the soup is too thick?
If your soup turns out thicker than desired, simply stir in additional stock or water until you reach your preferred consistency. Remember to adjust the seasoning afterward, as adding more liquid can dilute the flavors.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).