This hearty Minestrone with Sausage and Pesto is a flavorful and satisfying dish that combines Italian sausage, a variety of vegetables, beans, and pasta, topped with a dollop of basil pesto. It’s perfect for warming up on a cold day and can easily be prepared on the stovetop or in a slow cooker.
Ingredients:
- 16 ounces mild Italian sausage
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 & 1/2 cups celery, chopped
- 1 & 1/2 cups carrots, chopped
- 1 6-ounce can tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 15-ounce can Italian-style diced tomatoes
- 5 cups chicken broth
- 1 15-ounce can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 15-ounce can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup zucchini, chopped
- 1 cup yellow squash, chopped
- 1/2 cup dry ditalini pasta
- 2 cups baby spinach
- Basil pesto, for garnish
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish
Stovetop Instructions:
- Brown the Sausage:
- In a large pot, cook the Italian sausage over medium heat until browned. Break the sausage into small pieces as it cooks. Once browned, remove the sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables:
- In the same pot, add the chopped onion, celery, and carrots. Sauté until the vegetables start to soften, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for another minute.
- Add Liquids and Tomatoes:
- Mix in the tomato paste and oregano, then add the diced tomatoes and chicken broth. Stir well to combine.
- Simmer the Soup:
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 15 minutes.
- Add Beans and Pasta:
- Add the cannellini beans, kidney beans, zucchini, yellow squash, and ditalini pasta to the pot. Continue to simmer until the pasta is tender, about 10 minutes.
- Add Spinach:
- Stir in the baby spinach and cooked sausage. Cook until the spinach is wilted and the soup is heated through.
- Serve:
- Ladle the soup into bowls. Top each serving with a spoonful of basil pesto and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese.
Slow Cooker Instructions:
- Prep the Sausage and Vegetables:
- Brown the sausage in a skillet, then transfer to the slow cooker. Add all vegetables (except spinach) to the slow cooker.
- Add Liquids and Tomatoes:
- Stir in the tomato paste, oregano, diced tomatoes, and chicken broth.
- Cook:
- Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
- Add Pasta and Beans:
- During the last 30 minutes of cooking, add the pasta, beans, zucchini, and yellow squash. Increase heat to high if necessary.
- Finish with Spinach:
- Stir in the spinach and cooked sausage, and continue cooking until the spinach has wilted.
- Serve:
- Garnish with basil pesto and Parmesan cheese as described above.
Conclusion:
Minestrone with Sausage and Pesto is a robust and delicious soup that combines classic Italian flavors. Whether you choose to make it on the stovetop or in a slow cooker, it’s a versatile and comforting meal that’s perfect for any season. Enjoy the deep flavors and hearty ingredients of this wonderful minestrone!