Hearty Minestrone Soup

As the temperature starts to gradually cool down for the fall season, all I can think about is making soup. My all-time favorite is Minestrone. My family always enjoyed sitting down to this hearty soup, loaded with Italian sausage, beans and pasta. I can never serve this without homemade focaccia bread on the side.

  

Hearty Minestrone Soup

(Printable Recipe)

1 pound mild Italian sausage

6 cups beef broth

2 onions chopped

2 large carrot, sliced

2 large celery stalks, diced

1 can (28 oz.) tomatoes, pureed

2 cans (8 oz each) tomato sauce

1 tablespoons parsley

1/2 teaspoon basil

1 teaspoon oregano

Salt and pepper, to taste

1 clove garlic chopped and cooked in 2 tablespoons of olive oil

1 can garbanzo beans drained

1 can Italian green beans drained

1 cup uncooked Farfalline (small bowtie) pasta 

Parmesan cheese, grated (for serving)

Brown sausage in saute pan. Drain. Transfer sausage to a large pot and add broth, onions, carrots, celery, tomatoes, tomato sauce, garlic, parsley and seasonings. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 1-1/2 hours.  Add garbanzo beans, green beans and pasta. Simmer until noodles are al dente. Top with grated Parmesan cheese. Serve with focaccia bread.