ITALIAN SAUSAGE SOUP

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 pound hot Italian sausage
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 1 celery stalk, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 6 cups beef stock
• 1 zucchini, quartered and sliced
• 14 ounce can petite diced tomatoes
• 1-2 cans cannellini beans (I like beans!)
• 2 cups spinach
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. In a soup pot, add olive oil and heat until warm.
2. Add the sausage and cook for 5 minutes or until evenly browned (casings on)
3. Use a tongs to remove sausage and set aside.
4. Add the onions, carrots, celery, and garlic to pot and cook 5 minutes or until soft.
5. Add the beef stock and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat to simmer and cook for 10 minutes.
6. Add the zucchini, tomatoes, and beans.  Cook for 15 minutes.
7. Cut the cooked sausage into 1/4 inch slices.  Add sausage to soup pot and simmer for 15 minutes.
8. Add spinach and cook  5 minutes before serving.
9. Season with salt and pepper and serve in warm bowls.

Kathy’s Notes

I like to add a little hot sauce.  Also I cook it a little longer without the spinach.  Add spinach 5-10 minutes before serving.

By KathyMillerTime Adapted from Soup The ultimate Book of Soups and Stews