Zucchini Tomato Italian Sausage Soup
A hearty and flavorful soup packed with zucchini, tomatoes, and Italian sausage.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 pound Italian sweet sausage, casings removed
- 1 cup diced celery
- 2 cups chopped onion
- 2 cups diced red bell pepper
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes
- 1 quarter cup tomato paste
- 2 pounds zucchini, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 5 fresh plum tomatoes, diced
- 1 2 quarts low-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth
- 1 cup coarsely grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon Parmesan rind optional
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
- 1 fresh thyme sprig
- 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese for garnish optional
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add Italian sausage meat, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, and cook until browned, about 5 minutes.
- Add onion, celery, and bell pepper to the pot with the browned sausage. Sauté for 4 minutes.
- Push the meat and veggies to the sides of the pot and reduce heat to medium. If needed, remove the meat and veggies to a bowl. Add garlic, red pepper flakes, and tomato paste to the center of the pot. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in tomatoes, zucchini, black pepper, chicken broth, Parmesan rind, Parmesan cheese, basil, and thyme. Mix well.
- Bring the soup to a simmer, cover, and cook until the vegetables are tender, about 10-15 minutes.
- Remove the pot from heat, discard the Parmesan rinds, and serve the soup immediately. Garnish with fresh basil and Parmesan cheese. Enjoy!
Notes
No alcoholic drinks allowed, please substitute with a non-alcoholic option.