Hearty Vegetable Soup
What to make when spring is almost here but winter’s cold weather won’t leave? Soup!
Fresh on hand veggies, pantry pasta and turkey sausage for a cozy weeknight dinner or make ahead meal-prep lunch. 4-6 servings.
Simple Ingredients
2 ½ tablespoons Villa Graziella Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil + extra for drizzling
2 teaspoons Villa Graziella Organic Tuscan Herb Seasoning blend for vegetables + extra to taste
1 pound crumbled Italian chicken or turkey sausage-optional-
2 carrots sliced
2 zucchini or celery stalks sliced
1 medium onion diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 quarts (8 cups) beef, chicken, or vegetable broth, if possible organic
1 (28 ounce can) diced tomatoes
4 cups fresh spinach rinsed and dried
16 ounces short shape, dry or plant-based vegan or gluten free pasta, preferably bow tie, elbow, pennette or rotelle.
Sea salt & freshly cracked pepper to taste
Grated parmesan cheese to taste-optional-
Easy Directions
In a large pot with a lid or Dutch oven, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat, when hot, add crumbled sausage, cook until browned. Transfer to a paper bag or towel lined plate and set aside.
Heat 1 tablespoon of oil, add carrots, onion, and zucchini followed by 1 teaspoon of Tuscan herb seasoning blend for vegetables. Stir and sauté until veggies soften, 5 minutes.
Increase heat to medium-high, add remaining ½ tablespoon of olive oil, followed by the garlic, and spinach, stir in the remaining teaspoon of Tuscan herb seasoning blend.
Cook uncovered stirring often until the spinach leaves wilt, about 10-15 minutes.
Reduce heat to medium-low, cover pot and stir occasionally until spinach shrinks by at least half, about 45 minutes.
Add the broth and tomatoes, increase heat to medium-high and bring to a steady boil.
Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes.
As the broth and veggies simmer, cook pasta until al dente, and drain.
Add the pasta and sausage to the soup, season to taste with Tuscan herb seasoning blend, salt & pepper. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle grated parmesan cheese.
Serve immediately & enjoy!
Helpful Hints
If using bagged spinach, make sure to still wash & dry.
Sautéing veggies on medium heat allows them to “sweat” releasing liquid while gaining rich flavors.
Cook pasta separately, then add to soup to avoid it becoming soft & the soup too starchy.
Soup not thick enough? Simmer uncovered 15-20 minutes to reduce liquid before adding the pasta and sausage.
For fully blended flavors, prepare soup 1 day prior. Allow to cool and make into smaller portions. Soup will thicken as it rests.
Refrigerate up to 3 days. Freeze in an airtight container up to 3 months.
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