Italian Sausage Soup

Step 1

Remove casing from sausage. In an extra-large soup pot, brown the sausage (2 1/2 pounds), breaking it up into medium pieces, as it cooks. Cook until there is no longer any pink in the sausage. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate and set aside.

Step 2

Add olive oil (2 tablespoons) to the pan then add onion (1), celery (2 stalks), and carrots (6). Cook for about 10-12 minutes or until the veggies are soft. Add garlic (and continue to cook for 2-3 minutes.

Step 3

Add salt (1 teaspoon), pepper (1/4 teaspoon), oregano (2 teaspoons), bay leaves (4), and sugar (1 teaspoon). Add tomatoes with their liquid (1 can), chicken stock (10-12 cups), tomato juice (4 cups), Parmesan rind, kidney beans (1 can), garbanzo beans (1 can), cannellini beans (1 can), and cooked sausage. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, partially covered for 45-60 minutes.

Step 4

Add zucchini (and pasta (1 cup) and cook until zucchini is tender and pasta is firm to the bite. Add more stock if the soup has become too thick. Remove bay leaves. Stir in the basil (1/4 cup). Taste for seasoning.

Step 5

Top individual soup bowls with shaved Parmesan and some fresh basil and serve.