Upstate Minestrone Soup

If you love vegetables, you'll find this minestrone especially satisfying. Keep the recipe in mind when you have a bounty of fresh garden produce.

Upstate Minestrone Soup

Average Rating: 5

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 25 min. Cook: 1-1/2 hours
YIELD: 8 servings.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound Italian sausage links, cut into 1/2-inch slices
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 cup finely chopped onion
  • 1 cup sliced fresh carrots
  • 1 garlic clove, finely minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 2 cups shredded cabbage
  • 2 small zucchini, sliced
  • 2 cans (10-1/2 ounces each) condensed beef broth, undiluted or 3 beef bouillon cubes plus 1-1/2 cups water
  • 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 can (15-1/2 ounces) great northern beans, rinsed and drained
  • Minced fresh parsley

Instructions

  • 1. In a Dutch oven, brown sausage in oil. Add the onion, carrots, garlic and basil; cook for 5 minutes. Stir in the cabbage, zucchini, broth, tomatoes, salt and pepper.
  • 2. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 1 hour. Add beans; cook 20 minutes longer. Garnish with parsley.
    Freeze option:
    Freeze cooled soup in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through in a saucepan, stirring occasionally and adding a little broth or water if necessary.

Nutrition Facts

1 serving: 236 calories, 14g fat (4g saturated fat), 31mg cholesterol, 1329mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 5g fiber), 12g protein.