Hearty Italian Sausage & Veggie Pasta Soup
Indulge in this comforting Hearty Italian Sausage & Veggie Pasta Soup, perfect for a quick yet satisfying meal. This soup combines the robust flavors of sweet Italian sausage with tender pasta and a vibrant medley of fresh vegetables. Utilizing a boxed Hamburger Helper Italian Sausage flavor mix along with wholesome ingredients like stewed tomatoes, green beans, carrots, and zucchini, this dish is as easy to prepare as it is delicious. Ready in under 30 minutes, it's an ideal choice for busy weeknights or cozy weekends with family and friends. Pair with freshly grated parmesan cheese for an extra layer of flavor and enjoy a nourishing bowl that warms the soul.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Hamburger Helper Mix
1 (1 box (6.9 oz) Italian Sausage flavor)
Sweet Italian Sausage
1 lb (Remove casing and crumble)
Onion
3/4 cup (Diced)
Garlic
2 large cloves (Minced)
Ground Black Pepper
2-3 dashes (To taste)
Beef Broth
2 (10.5 oz) cans (Canned)
Water
1.5 soup cans (Use the empty broth can)
Stewed Tomatoes
1 (14.5 oz) can (Canned)
Carrots
1/2 cup (Thinly sliced (baby carrots used))
Zucchini
1 (9 oz) (Cut into 1/4-inch pieces)
Frozen Green Beans
8 oz (Cooked slightly in the microwave)
Italian Seasoning
1/4 teaspoon (Dried)
Grated Parmesan Cheese
To taste (Optional for serving)
Instructions
1
Begin by spraying the inside of a large stockpot with non-stick cooking spray.
2
Heat the pot over medium heat, add the sweet Italian sausage, and season lightly with ground black pepper. Avoid adding salt as the seasoning from the Hamburger Helper will provide sufficient flavor.
3
Cook the sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through. Once done, drain the sausage in a colander to remove excess fat.
4
While the sausage cooks, prepare the frozen green beans in the microwave according to package instructions (approximately 6 minutes in an 850-watt microwave), stirring halfway through. Season lightly with black pepper once cooked, then drain and set aside.
5
Lower the heat to medium-low, and in the same stockpot, lightly sauté the diced onions for 1-2 minutes until softened. If necessary, add a drizzle of vegetable oil to the pot.
6
Add the minced garlic to the onions and sauté for an additional minute until fragrant.
7
Return the cooked sausage to the pot and sprinkle the seasoning packet from the Hamburger Helper over the mixture. Stir well to ensure the sausage is evenly coated with the seasoning.
8
Next, carefully pour in the beef broth, followed by one and a half soup cans of water.
9
Add the stewed tomatoes, sliced baby carrots, diced zucchini, blanched green beans, and the included rotini pasta from the Hamburger Helper box.
10
Raise the heat to bring the soup to a vigorous boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for approximately 14 minutes, stirring occasionally until the pasta and vegetables are tender.
11
After simmering, remove the pot from the heat and give the soup a final stir. Serve hot, and if desired, sprinkle freshly grated parmesan cheese on each bowl before enjoying.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Italian Sausage & Veggie Pasta Soup?
It is a comforting, quick-to-prepare meal that combines sweet Italian sausage, tender pasta from a Hamburger Helper mix, and a variety of fresh and frozen vegetables in a rich beef broth.
How long does it take to cook this soup?
The soup is designed to be ready in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights.
What specific Hamburger Helper flavor is used in this recipe?
This recipe specifically uses the Italian Sausage flavor (6.9 oz box) of Hamburger Helper.
What kind of meat is required?
One pound of sweet Italian sausage is used, with the casings removed and the meat crumbled.
Do I need to add salt to this recipe?
The instructions suggest avoiding extra salt because the seasoning packet from the Hamburger Helper provides sufficient flavor.
What vegetables are included in the soup?
The soup includes diced onions, minced garlic, sliced baby carrots, diced zucchini, frozen green beans, and stewed tomatoes.
How should I prepare the green beans?
The frozen green beans should be cooked slightly in the microwave for approximately 6 minutes, seasoned with black pepper, and drained before being added to the pot.
What type of broth is recommended?
The recipe calls for two 10.5 oz cans of beef broth.
How do I measure the water for the soup?
Use the empty beef broth can to measure one and a half soup cans of water.
What is the recommended size for the zucchini pieces?
The zucchini should be cut into 1/4-inch pieces.
How long should the soup simmer?
Once the soup reaches a vigorous boil, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for approximately 14 minutes.
What pasta is used in the soup?
The rotini pasta included in the Hamburger Helper box is used for this soup.
Should I drain the fat from the sausage?
Yes, after browning the sausage, you should drain it in a colander to remove excess fat.
When do I add the garlic?
Add the minced garlic after the onions have sautéed for 1-2 minutes, then cook for one additional minute until fragrant.
Can I add cheese to the soup?
Yes, the recipe suggests sprinkling freshly grated parmesan cheese on each bowl before serving.
What should I use to prevent sticking in the pot?
Spray the inside of a large stockpot with non-stick cooking spray before browning the meat.
Is there any extra seasoning added besides the box mix?
Yes, the recipe calls for ground black pepper to taste and 1/4 teaspoon of dried Italian seasoning.
Do I use the seasoning packet from the box?
Yes, the seasoning packet is sprinkled over the cooked sausage before adding liquids.
What is the cooking heat for browning the sausage?
The sausage should be cooked over medium heat.
How many cloves of garlic are needed?
The recipe requires two large minced garlic cloves.
Can I use baby carrots?
Yes, the recipe specifically mentions using thinly sliced baby carrots.
What type of tomatoes are used?
One 14.5 oz can of stewed tomatoes is added to the soup.
What is the first step in making the soup?
The first step is browning the crumbled sweet Italian sausage in a large stockpot.
Do I need vegetable oil?
You may need a drizzle of vegetable oil if the pot is too dry when sautéing the onions.
What is the texture of the vegetables once finished?
The vegetables and pasta should be simmered until they are tender.
How much onion is used?
The recipe calls for 3/4 cup of diced onion.
Is the sausage cooked with the casing on?
No, the casing should be removed and the meat crumbled before cooking.
Is this soup considered 'hearty'?
Yes, it is described as a hearty and nourishing bowl that warms the soul.
What is the serving suggestion?
Serve the soup hot, optionally topped with freshly grated parmesan cheese.
Can this recipe be prepared on a weekend?
Yes, it is noted as ideal for both busy weeknights and cozy weekends with family.