Hearty Winter Minestrone with Smoky Sausage and Greens
Indulge in the rich warmth of this Hearty Winter Minestrone, perfect for those chilly evenings when comfort food is a must. This robust soup features a delightful combination of savory Italian sausage, hearty black and borlotti beans, and a medley of vibrant vegetables, all simmered to perfection in a flavorful broth. The addition of dry red wine adds depth and complexity, while fresh spinach or Swiss chard brings a touch of brightness. Enjoy it alongside warm corn tortillas or cornbread for a complete meal that warms both the heart and soul. This recipe is a great way to nourish your body and spirit during the cold winter months!
6
Servings
250
Calories
19
Ingredients
Ingredients
olive oil
2 tablespoons (None)
mild Italian sausage
1 lb (Remove casing and crumble)
large onion
1 (Finely chopped)
large carrot
1 (Cut lengthwise into quarters, then thinly sliced)
celery rib
1 (Thinly sliced)
cooked borlotti or cranberry beans
2 cups (Cooked)
large garlic clove
1 (Minced)
red or green bell pepper
1 (Seeded and chopped)
chopped parsley
1/4 cup (Fresh)
dried basil
1 teaspoon (None)
dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon (None)
dried marjoram
1/4 teaspoon (None)
canned tomato puree
30 ounces (None)
beef broth
3 1/2 cups (Two 14 1/2-ounce cans)
dry red wine
1/2 cup (None)
Italian pastina
1/4 cup (None)
fresh spinach or Swiss chard
4 cups (Coarsely shredded)
salt
to taste (Optional)
grated Parmesan cheese
to taste (For serving)
Instructions
1
In a large 5- to 6-quart pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Remove the sausage from its casing and crumble it into the pot. Sauté the sausage until it's lightly browned, stirring frequently to ensure even cooking.
2
Add the finely chopped onion, sliced carrot, and celery to the pot. Continue cooking, stirring often, until the onion becomes translucent and soft, about 5-7 minutes. If any excess fat has accumulated, drain it off.
3
Incorporate the cooked beans, minced garlic, chopped bell pepper, chopped parsley, dried basil, oregano, marjoram, tomato puree (including any juice), and beef broth into the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil, then cover and reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Allow it to simmer for 30 minutes to blend the flavors.
4
Next, stir in the dry red wine and the Italian pastina. Continue to simmer uncovered for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the pasta is tender.
5
Finally, fold in the coarsely shredded spinach or Swiss chard and stir just until the greens are wilted and vibrant in color. Taste the soup, adding salt if desired to enhance the flavors.
6
Serve the hot minestrone in bowls and offer grated Parmesan cheese on the side for sprinkling over each serving to taste.
Nutrition Information
12
Fat
21
Carbs
16
Protein
6
Fiber
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Winter Minestrone with Smoky Sausage and Greens?
It is a robust, warming soup featuring Italian sausage, borlotti beans, various vegetables, and greens, perfect for cold winter months.
What kind of sausage is recommended for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 lb of mild Italian sausage, which should be removed from its casing and crumbled.
What type of beans are used in this minestrone?
This recipe uses 2 cups of cooked borlotti or cranberry beans.
How should I prepare the carrot for this soup?
The carrot should be cut lengthwise into quarters and then thinly sliced.
What is the first step in cooking the sausage?
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot and sauté the crumbled sausage until it is lightly browned.
How long should I sauté the onions, carrots, and celery?
Sauté them for 5-7 minutes until the onion becomes translucent and soft.
Should I drain the fat from the pot?
Yes, if any excess fat has accumulated after browning the sausage and vegetables, you should drain it off.
What herbs and spices are used for seasoning?
The seasoning includes 1/4 cup fresh parsley, 1 teaspoon dried basil, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, and 1/4 teaspoon dried marjoram.
How much tomato puree is needed?
The recipe requires 30 ounces of canned tomato puree.
What type of broth is used in this recipe?
It uses 3 1/2 cups of beef broth (equivalent to two 14 1/2-ounce cans).
How long does the soup need to simmer initially?
After bringing the mixture to a boil, cover and reduce heat to a gentle simmer for 30 minutes.
When do I add the red wine?
The 1/2 cup of dry red wine is added after the initial 30-minute simmer.
What type of pasta is added to the minestrone?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of Italian pastina.
How long should the pasta cook?
Continue to simmer uncovered for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the pasta is tender.
Which greens can I use for this soup?
You can use 4 cups of either fresh spinach or Swiss chard, coarsely shredded.
When are the greens added?
Fold in the greens at the very end, stirring just until they are wilted and vibrant.
How is the soup served?
Serve the minestrone hot in bowls with grated Parmesan cheese offered on the side.
What are good side dish suggestions for this meal?
This soup pairs well with warm corn tortillas or cornbread.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe makes approximately 6 servings.
How many calories are in one serving?
Each serving contains approximately 250 calories.
What is the protein content per serving?
There are 16 grams of protein in each serving.
How much fat is in a serving of this soup?
Each serving contains 12 grams of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in this minestrone?
One serving has 21 grams of carbohydrates.
Is this soup a good source of fiber?
Yes, it provides 6 grams of fiber per serving.
What size pot is required?
A large 5- to 6-quart pot is recommended for this recipe.
What kind of bell pepper should I use?
You can use one red or green bell pepper, seeded and chopped.
Is the garlic minced or sliced?
The recipe calls for 1 large garlic clove, minced.
Can I adjust the salt in this recipe?
Yes, the recipe suggests adding salt to taste at the end of the cooking process.
Is the Parmesan cheese cooked into the soup?
No, the grated Parmesan is meant for sprinkling over each serving to taste.
How do I prepare the beans?
The recipe requires 2 cups of beans that are already cooked before being added to the pot.