Macho Minestrone

This minestrone is packed with sausage, beans, pasta, potatoes, and plenty of vegetables.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 45 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 5 mins
• Calories: 325 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 cups water
• 1 large onion, chopped
• salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 1 (15 ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 1 quart chicken broth
• 1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes
• ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• 1 pound bulk mild Italian sausage
• 1 bunch kale, chopped
• ⅓ cup olive oil, divided
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• ½ cup ditalini pasta
• 3 large potatoes, peeled and cut into cubes
• 2 zucchinis, halved lengthwise and sliced into half-moons

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Heat about 1/4 cup olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Cook and stir Italian sausage in hot oil until about half browned, about 5 minutes. Add carrots, celery, and onion; continue to cook and stir until the sausage is completely browned, about 5 minutes more. Drain and discard some of the fat if you find it too greasy.

Step 2

Stir potatoes into the sausage mixture, season with salt and pepper, and cook until the potatoes begin to soften, about 7 minutes more.

Step 3

Pour chicken broth and water into the pot. Bring the liquid to a boil while scraping the browned bits of food off of the bottom of the pan with a flat-edged spoon. Add tomatoes and again bring mixture to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer until the potatoes are completely soft, about 15 minutes.

Step 4

Stir zucchini and kale into the liquid; simmer until zucchini is soft, about 10 minutes.

Step 5

Stir cannellini beans and ditalini pasta into the liquid; cook until pasta is tender, about 5 minutes. Ladle into bowls and garnish with Parmesan cheese and splash of olive oil.