Italian Sausage White Bean Soup

During the cold fall and winter months we live on soup. I make at least one soup every weekend, sometimes two. I just can't get enough soup.

This soup is full of yummy flavors, like Italian sausage, navy beans, diced tomatoes, pasta and veggies in a light and slightly tomato flavored broth.

Italian Sausage White Bean Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 3 medium carrots, grated
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon rubbed sage
• 1-2 pinches red pepper flakes
• 14.5 ounce can no salt added diced tomatoes
• 15 ounce can navy beans, drained and rinsed
• 6 cups low sodium chicken broth (more may be needed)
• 3/4 cup small pasta shells
• 1/4-1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• shredded Parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. In a large stock pot, add the oil and turn the on the heat to medium.
2. Add in the Italian sausage and cook, breaking it up with a spoon until golden brown and crispy, about 20 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the sausage to a paper towel lined plate, leaving the sausage grease in the pot.
3. Add the onions, celery and carrots to the pot. Stir everything together, cover the pot and cook for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender.
4. Add in the garlic, basil, thyme, rubbed sage and chili flakes. Stir and cook for 1-2 minutes.
5. Add the sausage back to the pot and add the tomatoes, beans and broth. If desired fill the tomato can 1/2 full with either water or chicken broth and swish to get any remaining tomato sauce and add to the pot.
6. Stir everything together, cover the pot and bring to a boil.
7. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for 20-30 minutes.
8. Add in the pasta shells and simmer for 10-15 minutes or until the pasta is tender. If the shells absorb too much liquid, add more broth.
9. Season with black pepper and top each serving with parmesan cheese.

Enjoy!!!

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 10
Amount Per Serving
Calories 221
Total Fat		8.1g
Saturated Fat		3.3g
Polyunsaturated Fat		0.3g
Monounsaturated Fat		1.7g
Trans Fat		0g
Cholesterol		21.6mg
Sodium		584.8mg
Potassium		478.8mg
Total Carbohydrates		22g
Dietary Fiber		6.6g
Sugars		2.9g
Protein		16.9g
Vitamin A 67.3% Vitamin C 7.76%
Calcium 30.23% Iron 45.55%
*Nutritional information will vary depending on the brands you use.

*Adapted from Simply Scratch.