Hearty Sausage Vegetable Soup (with or without tortellini)

 

sausagevegetablesoup

 

I don’t know about you but I LOVE soup. I am even  guilty of making soup on a hot  summer day (thank you air conditioning!).  That being said, there is nothing as comforting as the smell of a large pot of soup simmering on the stove on a cold fall or winter day.

This is one of our family favorite soups that is very easy to put together.  Don’t be fooled by the simplicity of the recipe, this is a hearty soup that is packed with flavor and chock full of vegetables, not to mention delicious italian sausage! What’s great is that it can be made quickly with minimal prep and cooking time before dinner or, if you prefer, it can simmer all day.  I imagine it would even be great in a slow cooker.

I am not sure how far my version of this recipe has strayed over the years from the original since I never wrote it down. My Mom got the recipe for the sausage tortellini soup from a coworker and after I tried it she told me the recipe. I know the original called for tortellini to be added at the end, but I have found it is just as delicious without it. But feel free to add in tortellini or any pasta of your choice at the end of the cooking time. The original recipe also called for zucchini, which is a wonderful addition, but instead you can use spinach or just extra carrots and/or celery and it is still delicious. A little secret to this delicious soup is a actually a cup of ketchup added that adds a wonderful rich flavor.

 I really hope you try this recipe and enjoy it as much as my family has over the years!!

Hearty Sausage Vegetable soup (with or without tortellini)

Amy
Prep Time 20 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • A package of fresh Italian sausage I use sweet, use what suits your taste, casings removed and broken into small pieces
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 4-5 cloves of garlic peeled and diced
  • 1 32 oz container of beef stock or use homemade beef stock
  • 1 cup Ketchup
  • 1 large can or 2 small cans of diced tomatoes
  • 2-4 + cups of water enough to cover ingredients and to a good ingredient/broth ratio
  • 2-3 large carrots cut into bite sized pieces
  • 1-2 stalks of celery optional but good
  • 1 zucchini cut into bite sized pieces and/or package of fresh or frozen spinach
  • 1 Tbsp of Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Parmesan cheese for garnish
  • optional 1 package of fresh or frozen tortellini, or pasta of your choice

Instructions
 

  • Brown sausage in a large soup pan or dutch oven over med to med/high heat
  • Add onions and garlic and cook until soft adjusting heat so they don't burn
  • Poor in beef stock, ketchup, diced tomatoes and extra water.
  • Add carrots, celery (if using) and Italian seasoning and bring to gentle boil. You can also add spinach at this time if you use it. Wait to add zucchini until the last 15 min of the cooking time so it doesn't get too soft.
  • Cook until vegetables are soft.
  • Add more water if needed as it boils off
  • Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed (the salt from the sausage and stock is often enough)
  • Either cook tortellini separate and add to each bowl (this is good for leftovers so it won't get mushy) or you can throw it in the soup and let it cook through.
  • Serve with parmesan cheese on top

Notes

This yields enough to feed my family of 6 with leftovers for lunch. You can adjust the amounts to suit your family size. Often I will add extra veggies to stretch it out. Also, don't be afraid to make ahead and reheat (without pasta) as it tastes better the next day!
Adapted from from my mom who got recipe from coworker

 

 

 


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3 Comments

  1. Ok have it cooking had to substitute my frozen food processer processed tomatoes from garden. Forgot diced tomatoes. Just tasted it for seasoning. I am soooo in love with this soup. Thank you.

    • I am really glad you like it- It really is quick and one of our favorites here. I use my garden tomatoes from the freezer if I have them- even better! I hope the family approves!

  2. I’m making this tonight. Can’t wait to try it

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