Description
A hearty and nutritious Italian soup packed with protein, fiber, and bursting with flavor, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
- ½ lb Ground Italian sausage
- 1 Bell pepper, seeds removed and diced
- 1 Yellow onion, diced
- 2 Carrots, peeled and thinly chopped
- 1 Zucchini, diced
- 2 Garlic cloves, minced
- ¼ cup White wine
- 1 Bay leaf
- ½ tsp Dried rosemary
- 1 tsp Dried Basil
- 1 tsp Dried Parsley
- Pinch Red pepper flakes, optional
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Pepper
- 3–4 cups Broccoli rabe, roughly chopped (thick stems removed)
- 1 Can Cannellini Beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 32 oz box Vegetable stock, 4 cups
- 3 cups Fresh Spinach, roughly chopped
- 1/3 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
Instructions
- Heat olive oil over medium heat in medium sauce pan or Dutch oven. Test the oil by tossing in a small onion piece; it should sizzle gently when ready.
- Add ground sausage and cook until browned while breaking up with your spoon (about 5-7 minutes). Allow the meat to sit briefly before stirring to get browned bits for flavor.
- Add bell pepper, onion, carrots, zucchini, and garlic; cook until vegetables are softened, about 10-12 minutes. Save zucchini until the last 4 minutes for a firmer texture.
- Add white wine and cook for 2 minutes, scraping the bottom of the pan to lift the browned bits into the liquid.
- Add bay leaf and spices, mixing to combine. Toast the dried herbs briefly in the pot to enhance their aroma.
- Add broccoli rabe, stirring until wilted, about 3 minutes. Blanch if bitter before adding.
- Stir in vegetable stock, bring to a boil, then turn down to low, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes.
- Discard bay leaf. Add spinach and grated cheese; stir to combine and adjust seasoning if necessary.
Notes
For a vegetarian option, use plant-based sausage and consider adding smoked paprika for depth. Pair with crusty bread or a green salad.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 45mg