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Minestrone with Sausage and Pesto (Stovetop or Slow Cooker)

Minestrone with Sausage and Pesto (Stovetop or Slow Cooker)

This Minestrone with Sausage and Pesto is hearty and flavorful, perfect for a comforting meal.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Slow Cooker Time 7 hours
Total Time 7 hours 25 minutes
Course Soup
Cuisine Italian
Servings 8 servings
Calories 381 kcal

Equipment

  • large soup pot
  • Slow Cooker

Ingredients
  

Meats

  • 16 ounces mild Italian sausage

Vegetables

  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1.5 cups celery, chopped
  • 1.5 cups carrots, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons garlic, minced
  • 1 cup zucchini, chopped
  • 1 cup yellow squash, chopped
  • 2 cups baby spinach

Canned Goods

  • 1.5 cups canned Italian style diced tomatoes
  • 1 6 ounce can tomato paste
  • 1 15 ounce can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 15 ounce can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 5 cups chicken broth

Pasta

  • 0.5 cup dry ditalini pasta

Herbs and Spices

  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano

Garnish

  • basil pesto, to garnish
  • grated parmesan cheese, to garnish

Instructions
 

Stovetop Instructions

  • In a large soup pot, brown the Italian sausage over medium to medium-high heat. Drain the fat.
  • Meanwhile, chop the onion, celery, carrots, and garlic.
  • Add the tomato paste, onions, celery, carrots, garlic, and dried oregano.
  • Saute for about 5 minutes.
  • Add the can of Italian tomatoes and chicken broth. Turn the heat to high and bring to a boil.
  • Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for about 30-45 minutes, until all the carrots are tender.
  • Add both cans of beans, the zucchini, yellow squash, and dry pasta. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
  • Simmer another 10 minutes, until the pasta is cooked.
  • At this point, you can add another cup or two of chicken broth, if you feel like it’s not 'soupy' enough.
  • Turn off the heat and stir in the baby spinach. I like to roughly chop mine so it’s easier to eat, but you don’t have to!
  • Wait about 5 minutes for the spinach to wilt, and then it’s ready to serve. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Garnish each bowl with a teaspoon of pesto and a few grates of Parmesan cheese.

Slow Cooker Instructions

  • Follow the instructions through step 4. Pour everything into the slow cooker, then add the tomatoes and chicken broth.
  • Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours.
  • Stir in the beans, zucchini, yellow squash, and pasta. Cover and turn the heat to high. Cook for about 10-15 minutes, until the pasta is al dente.
  • Turn off the slow cooker. Stir in the spinach and cover another 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Garnish each bowl with a teaspoon of pesto and a few grates of Parmesan cheese.

Notes

If you can’t find Italian diced tomatoes, regular tomatoes will work fine! Any type of short pasta will work fine. This soup can last in the fridge for up to a week and can be frozen for easy defrosting.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 381kcalCarbohydrates: 37gProtein: 19gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 46mgPotassium: 928mgFiber: 9gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 5257IUVitamin C: 22mgCalcium: 134mgIron: 5mg
Keyword Italian Sausage, minestrone, Pesto, Slow Cooker, soup, vegetable soup
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