Upstate Minestrone Soup
Upstate Minestrone Soup is a hearty, vegetable-packed dish with Italian sausage, fresh herbs, and beans, perfect for cozy family dinners or meal prep.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. Italian sweet sausage ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. olive or vegetable oil ⓘ
- 1 c. diced onion
- 1 clove garlic, finely minced ⓘ
- 1 c. sliced carrots ⓘ
- 1 tsp. crumbled basil ⓘ
- 2 small zucchini, sliced ⓘ
- 1 (1 lb.) can Italian pear tomatoes, chopped (undrained) ⓘ
- 2 cans (10 3/4 oz.) beef bouillon or 3 beef bouillon cubes plus 1 1/2 c. hot water ⓘ
- 2 c. finely shredded cabbage
- 1 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp. pepper ⓘ
- 1 (1 lb.) can Great Northern beans (undrained) ⓘ
- chopped fresh parsley ⓘ
Instructions
- Slice the Italian sweet sausage crosswise about 1/2-inch thick and brown in oil in a deep saucepan or Dutch oven.
- Add diced onion, minced garlic, sliced carrots, and crumbled basil; cook for 5 minutes.
- Add sliced zucchini, chopped tomatoes with liquid, beef bouillon or cubes with hot water, shredded cabbage, salt, and pepper.
- Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 1 hour.
- Add the undrained Great Northern beans and cook for another 20 minutes.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a lighter version, replace Italian sweet sausage with turkey sausage or omit it altogether and add more beans for protein. Fresh basil can substitute for crumbled basil if available. To enhance the flavor, consider adding a bay leaf while simmering and removing it before serving. You can also include other vegetables like spinach or kale for added nutrition.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this hearty soup with crusty bread or a simple side salad for a complete meal. It pairs beautifully with Northern Style Lasagna, making it perfect for a cozy family dinner. For a finishing touch, sprinkle additional chopped fresh parsley or grated Parmesan cheese on top before serving.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm the soup in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. If the soup thickens too much, add a splash of water or broth to reach your desired consistency.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Upstate Minestrone Soup contains roughly 683 calories, with 26g protein, 135g carbohydrates, and 10g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (333% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (124% of the Daily Value), and vitamin C (90% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 924mg per serving (40% 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 use frozen vegetables instead of fresh?
Yes, you can substitute frozen vegetables for fresh ones. Just be sure to thaw and drain them before adding to the soup. This can save prep time and still provide great flavor and nutrition.
How can I make this soup vegetarian?
To make this soup vegetarian, omit the Italian sausage and use vegetable broth instead of beef bouillon. You can also increase the amount of beans and add more vegetables for heartiness, making it a satisfying vegetarian dish.
What can I serve with minestrone soup?
Minestrone soup pairs well with a variety of sides like garlic bread or a light green salad. For a heartier option, consider serving it alongside Roemayne'S Lasagne for a comforting Italian-inspired meal.
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).