A hearty Italian soup that comes together in under 30 minutes, is rich and flavorful and makes the perfect leftovers. Filling enough to serve as a main dish, but also delicious as a side or appetizer.See the cooking notes below for tips on how to de-case sausage, my thoughts on the best type of broth to use, and other handy tips.
1lb.raw pork or chicken Sweet Italian sausagede-cased or bulk
2clovesgarlicdiced
1teaspoondried basil
1.5quartsbeef or chicken stockpreferably beef
1, 15oz.can diced tomatoes
1, 15oz.can cannellini beansrinsed and drained
½ - 1teaspoonsaltoptional
½cupgrated parmesan cheese
Fresh black pepperto taste
Instructions
Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat until it sputters when flicked with water.
Add onion & sausage to the pan and cook for 6-7 minutes, stirring frequently to break up the sausage until the sausage is cooked through.
Add garlic and basil and sauté for 1 minute, or until fragrant.
Add in the broth & tomatoes to the pot. Turn the heat up to high. Bring the soup to a boil. Reduce to medium-high heat and simmer for 8-10 minutes.
Add in beans and farro. Simmer the soup for 2 minutes, or until the beans are heated through.
Season the soup with salt to taste. Ladle the soup into large bowls, sprinkle with parmesan cheese and a few cracks of pepper. Serve hot!
Notes
1. The nutrition facts for this recipe were calculated with chicken sausage and store-bought low-fat beef broth. 2. To save time making this soup, use quick-cook farro. 3. To de-case raw sausage, grab the sausage in the middle, pinching with your pointer finger, middle finger, and thumb on each hand. Then pull away from each other while continuing to pinch and the sausage will come out the ends of the sausage. Repeat with any additional sausages until you've de-cased all the sausages.4. This soup will keep covered in the fridge for 4-5 days. It also will freeze for 2-3 months in an airtight and freezer-safe container.
Nutrition
Serving: 1/8 of the recipe, made with chicken sausage and store bought beef brothCalories: 375kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 20gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 213mgSodium: 846mgFiber: 5gSugar: 3g
Keyword farro soup, Italian bean soup, Italian sausage and bean soup, minestra, minestra soup