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Italian Sausage Soup

So here is a funny story. I sat down to look through my cookbooks to get a meal to post today.  As I found something I wanted to share, I was a little overwhelmed.  Knowing I needed to go out and buy all of the ingredients to share, I knew I did not have the time.  While stressing,  I realized I had something cooking, that very moment in my Crockpot, Italian Sausage Soup .  It is healthy, family favorite and easy to throw together with a hectic schedule since I usually have most of the ingredients  in stock.  ingredients

  • 1 15-ounce can of any beans you like, drained; I use Pinto
  • 1 pound of lean sausage, your choice cut into bite size
  • 1/2 medium onion, diced
  • 1/2 medium carrot, diced
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil 
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes 
  • 6 to 8 cups chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • salt and pepper 
  • 1 cup small pasta
  • grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese 

My kids and my husband love, love, love sausage - - any kind of sausage, and the greasier the better to them.  However, they will get a healthier choice when I cook for them.  I like using deer sausage which is leaner and more flavorful especially when lucky enough to receive some from a friend, who is an avid hunter.

 

sausage

 

Here is the easiest part.  Throw everything into your Crockpot, even sausage precooked and cook 6-8 hours on low.

in crock pot

 

For the last hour, add your pasta and cook on high.  When pasta is tender, sprinkle with parmesan cheese and you are ready to go.

Final

  This is a perfect meal on a cold night or a busy day when you don’t have time to stew in the kitchen.  It’s filled with lots of protein and fiber.  The carrots give one serving of a vegetable; however, you could add other vegetables such as zucchini or squash.  To add in a few more greens, I like to serve with a toss salad.

toss salad

 

Italian Sausage Soup, it gives a kick to the name  soup and salad.