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Minestrone with Sausage and Pesto (Stovetop or Slow Cooker)

Minestrone with Sausage and Pesto (Stovetop or Slow Cooker)

A flavorful Minestrone soup enhanced with Italian sausage and pesto, packed with veggies and perfect for a cozy meal.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Slow Cooker Time 7 hours
Total Time 7 hours 25 minutes
Course Soup
Cuisine Italian
Servings 10 servings
Calories 381 kcal

Equipment

  • large soup pot
  • slow cooker

Ingredients
  

Meats

  • 16 ounces mild Italian sausage

Vegetables

  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 1.5 cups celery chopped
  • 1.5 cups carrots chopped
  • 2 tablespoons garlic minced
  • 1 cup zucchini chopped
  • 1 cup yellow squash chopped
  • 2 cups baby spinach

Canned Goods

  • 1 6 ounce can tomato paste
  • 1 15 ounce can Italian style diced tomatoes
  • 5 cups chicken broth
  • 1 15 ounce can cannellini beans drained and rinsed
  • 1 15 ounce can red kidney beans drained and rinsed

Pasta

  • ½ cup dry ditalini pasta

Herbs and Seasonings

  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano

Garnishes

  • basil pesto to garnish
  • grated parmesan cheese to garnish

Instructions
 

Stovetop Instructions

  • In a large soup pot, brown the Italian sausage over medium to medium-high heat. Drain the fat.
  • Meanwhile, chop the onion, celery, carrots, and garlic.
  • Add the tomato paste, onions, celery, carrots, garlic, and dried oregano. Saute for about 5 minutes.
  • Add the can of Italian tomatoes and chicken broth. Turn the heat to high and bring to a boil.
  • Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for about 30-45 minutes, until all the carrots are tender.
  • Add both cans of beans, the zucchini, yellow squash, and dry pasta. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
  • Simmer another 10 minutes, until the pasta is cooked.
  • At this point, you can add another cup or two of chicken broth, if you feel like it's not 'soupy' enough.
  • Turn off the heat and stir in the baby spinach. I like to roughly chop mine so it's easier to eat, but you don't have to!
  • Wait about 5 minutes for the spinach to wilt, and then it's ready to serve. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Garnish each bowl with a teaspoon of pesto and a few grates of Parmesan cheese.

Slow Cooker Instructions

  • Follow the instructions through step 4. Pour everything into the slow cooker, then add the tomatoes and chicken broth.
  • Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours.
  • Stir in the beans, zucchini, yellow squash, and pasta. Cover and turn the heat to high. Cook for about 10-15 minutes, until the pasta is al dente.
  • Turn off the slow cooker. Stir in the spinach and cover another 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Garnish each bowl with a teaspoon of pesto and a few grates of Parmesan cheese.

Notes

If you can't find Italian diced tomatoes, regular tomatoes will work fine! Any type of short pasta will work fine!

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 381kcalCarbohydrates: 37gProtein: 19gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 46mgPotassium: 928mgFiber: 9gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 5257IUVitamin C: 22mgCalcium: 134mgIron: 5mg
Keyword Minestrone, pesto, sausage, slow cooker, Stovetop, Vegetarian
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