Hearty Italian Sausage and Zucchini Soup
Warm up with a hearty bowl of this Italian Sausage and Zucchini Soup, a comforting and filling dish perfect for chilly days! Bursting with savory flavors from sweet Italian sausage, fresh vegetables, and robust herbs, this soup is a family favorite passed down through generations. Enjoy the delightful combination of zucchini and green peppers simmering in a rich tomato base, beautifully complemented by a splash of red wine. Serve it alongside crusty bread to soak up all the delicious goodness!
6-10 serving(s)
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
sweet Italian sausage
1 lb (sliced)
celery
2 cups (diced)
onion
1 (chopped)
whole canned tomatoes
2 (28 ounce) cans (crushed)
salt
2 teaspoons
Italian spices
1 teaspoon
oregano
1 teaspoon
sugar
1 teaspoon
basil
1/2 teaspoon
garlic clove
1 (pressed)
zucchini
2 lbs (sliced)
green peppers
2 (diced)
water or red wine
2 cups or 1 cup red wine and 1 cup water
Instructions
1
In a large pot, slice the Italian sausage and brown it over medium heat until cooked through.
2
Add the diced celery to the pot and sauté for approximately 10 minutes until softened.
3
Next, stir in the chopped onions and cook until they turn translucent, about 5 minutes.
4
Pour in the two cans of whole tomatoes, crushing them slightly as you mix them in.
5
Add the pressed garlic, salt, Italian spices, oregano, sugar, and basil to the pot, stirring to combine.
6
Cover the pot and allow the mixture to simmer for 20 minutes, letting all the flavors meld together.
7
Incorporate the sliced zucchini and diced green peppers into the pot.
8
Pour in 2 cups of water, or replace one cup with red wine for added depth of flavor.
9
Cover the pot again and simmer until the zucchini is tender and almost falling apart, and the peppers are soft, about 30-40 minutes.
10
If the soup becomes too thick, feel free to add more water as necessary. The longer it simmers, the more flavorful it will become. Adjust seasoning to taste before serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main dish in this recipe?
The dish is a Hearty Italian Sausage and Zucchini Soup, a comforting meal with sweet Italian sausage and fresh vegetables in a rich tomato base.
How many servings does this soup recipe provide?
This recipe makes approximately 6-10 servings.
What type of sausage is recommended for this soup?
The recipe calls for 1 lb of sweet Italian sausage, sliced.
How should the celery be prepared?
You should use 2 cups of celery that has been diced.
Do I need to sauté the onions separately?
The onions should be chopped and added to the pot after the celery has softened, then cooked for about 5 minutes until translucent.
What kind of tomatoes are used in this recipe?
The recipe uses two 28-ounce cans of whole tomatoes, which are crushed as they are mixed into the pot.
Can I use wine in this Italian sausage soup?
Yes, you can replace one of the two cups of water with a cup of red wine to add more depth of flavor.
How much garlic is needed?
The recipe requires one pressed garlic clove.
What herbs and spices provide the flavor?
The flavor comes from a combination of salt, Italian spices, oregano, basil, and a teaspoon of sugar.
How much zucchini is required and how is it prepared?
You will need 2 lbs of zucchini, which should be sliced.
When should I add the zucchini and green peppers to the pot?
Add the sliced zucchini and diced green peppers after the tomato and spice base has simmered for its initial 20 minutes.
How many green peppers are used in this soup?
The recipe calls for 2 green peppers, which should be diced.
How long should the soup simmer after all vegetables are added?
It should simmer for about 30-40 minutes until the zucchini is tender and almost falling apart and the peppers are soft.
What should I do if the soup becomes too thick while cooking?
If the soup gets too thick, you can add more water as necessary to reach your desired consistency.
What is a suggested side dish for this soup?
It is recommended to serve the soup alongside crusty bread to soak up the broth.
Is the sausage cooked before adding vegetables?
Yes, the Italian sausage should be browned over medium heat until cooked through before adding the celery and onions.
How long does it take to soften the celery?
The diced celery should be sautéed for approximately 10 minutes.
What is the total amount of water or liquid used?
The recipe uses 2 cups of liquid total, which can be all water or a mix of 1 cup water and 1 cup red wine.
How much salt is included in the recipe?
The recipe specifies 2 teaspoons of salt.
Why is sugar added to the soup?
A teaspoon of sugar is used to balance the acidity of the tomatoes.
What is the quantity of oregano used?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of oregano.
What is the quantity of basil used?
The recipe uses 1/2 teaspoon of basil.
How much Italian spices should I measure out?
You should use 1 teaspoon of Italian spices.
Does the pot need to be covered during cooking?
Yes, the instructions indicate covering the pot during the initial 20-minute simmer and the final 30-40 minute simmer.
What makes this soup more flavorful according to the instructions?
The instructions state that the longer the soup simmers, the more flavorful it will become.
How many total ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 13 ingredients in this recipe.
Should the tomatoes be drained?
No, you pour in the two cans of whole tomatoes and crush them as you mix them in, utilizing their juices for the base.
Is this soup suitable for cold weather?
Yes, the description highlights it as a comforting and filling dish perfect for chilly days.
What should I do before serving the soup?
You should adjust the seasoning to your taste before serving.
How do you know when the soup is finished cooking?
The soup is ready when the zucchini is tender (almost falling apart) and the green peppers are soft.