Minestrone With Sausage
A hearty and flavorful Italian-inspired soup featuring sausage, beef shanks, vegetables, and pasta, perfect for comforting family dinners. The rich broth is enhanced by tomatoes, beans, and herbs, making it a satisfying and nourishing dish suitable for cold days or when craving a filling, savory meal.
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb. Italian sausage ⓘ
- 2 1/2 to 3 lb. beef shanks ⓘ
- 8 c. water ⓘ
- 1 1/2 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 1/8 tsp. pepper ⓘ
- 1 bay leaf ⓘ
- 1 c. sliced zucchini
- 1 c. sliced carrots ⓘ
- 1 c. chopped celery
- 4 oz. uncooked shell macaroni ⓘ
- 1/2 c. chopped onion ⓘ
- 1 tsp. basil leaves, crushed ⓘ
- 1 garlic clove, minced ⓘ
- 28 oz. can tomatoes, undrained and cut up ⓘ
- 16 oz. can kidney beans, undrained ⓘ
- 8 oz. can tomato sauce ⓘ
Instructions
- If sausage comes in casing, remove the casing.
- In a 6-quart saucepot, brown the sausage and break it into small pieces.
- Remove the sausage from the saucepot and drain on paper towels.
- Refrigerate the sausage.
Tips & Substitutions
For a deeper flavor, consider adding a splash of red wine while sautéing the sausage. If you're short on time, use pre-chopped vegetables or frozen mixed veggies as a substitute for fresh. You can replace the shell macaroni with small pasta like ditalini or even use rice for a gluten-free option. Add more greens like spinach or kale for extra nutrition.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this hearty minestrone with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese on top for added richness. A side of crusty bread or a simple green salad pairs nicely, making for a satisfying meal. You could also serve it alongside Italian recipes like Lazy Boy Lasagna or Rigatoni And Cheese Casserole 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, simply warm on the stovetop over medium heat, adding a splash of water or broth to loosen the soup, or microwave in a bowl, covered, for about 2-3 minutes until heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Minestrone With Sausage contains roughly 575 calories, with 24g protein, 123g carbohydrates, and 11g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (304% of the Daily Value), iron (222% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (166% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1101mg per serving (48% of the Daily Value).
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 make this minestrone vegetarian?
Yes, to make a vegetarian version, omit the sausage and beef shanks. You can use vegetable broth instead of water and add more beans or lentils for protein. Incorporating additional vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms will enhance the flavor and texture.
How can I make this soup spicier?
To add some heat, consider including red pepper flakes or a diced jalapeño when sautéing the onions and garlic. You can also serve the minestrone with hot sauce on the side for those who prefer to control the spice level.
Can I freeze minestrone soup?
Absolutely! This minestrone freezes well. Allow it to cool completely, then transfer it to freezer-safe containers. It can be stored for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and warm on the stovetop.
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).