Italian Sausage Soup

Make this richly flavored hearty Italian Sausage Soup in under 30 minutes.  It's a winter warmer soup!

Italian Sausage Soup

If you’re looking for an easy soup for a busy evening or even a quick lunch, this is it!  It's really flavorful and doesn't require hours of simmering on the stove.  I always love a good soup, especially during the fall and winter months.  It just gives me all kinds of comfort feels.

I was craving Italian flavors to I decided to make a variation of a sausage soup using turkey Italian sausage links that I removed from their casings for a little healthier version.   Pork Italian sausage can be used if you prefer.  I also included some onions, fresh chopped Roma tomatoes, zucchini, and baby spinach.  Add in a little wine and some broth and spices and soup in served!  All under 30 minutes.

There's nothing better than a soup that warms you up inside and tastes delicious.  This is one of those soups.  Perfect with a side salad and some crusty Italian bread to soak up all the scrumptious broth!

Enjoy!

What Ingredients do I need?

• turkey Italian sausage, mild or spicy, (I used sausage links removed from their casings)
• yellow onion
• fresh garlic
• red pepper flakes
• tomato paste
• Roma tomatoes
• low-sodium chicken broth
• red wine
• Italian seasoning
• small pasta such as rotini
• zucchini
• baby spinach

Substitutions and Variations

• Use pork Italian sausage or any other version of ground meat you would like

• Add 1/2 cup of rice instead of pasta - adjust the cooking time for the rice

• Add kale or Swiss chard instead of the baby spinach

• Add in mushrooms, green beans, carrots, celery, or bell peppers for a variety of vegetables and different flavor profiles

Kitchen Tips and Notes

• I don't want to add alcohol:  If you do not want to add in wine just add in more chicken broth instead.

• One pot dish:  This can be made all in one pot.  I use this cast iron Lodge Dutch oven and it's perfect for all of my soups.

• Pasta type?  Any small pasta will work with the recipe.

• Storing:  This soup will keep in the refrigerator for 3 days.  

• Freezing:  I would not freeze this soup by making it without adding the pasta.  Or you can just use rice and freeze it with that.  Once you thaw the soup you should make some fresh cooked pasta and add it to the soup at that time.  Freeze for up to 3 months.

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Italian Sausage Soup

serves 4-6

1 pound turkey Italian sausage, mild or spicy, removed from casings

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 yellow onion, diced
2 tablespoons fresh garlic, minced
Pinch red pepper flakes
1/4 cup (4 oz.) tomato paste
5 fresh Roma tomatoes, diced
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
7 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 cup red wine

2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
2 cups pasta
2 medium zucchini, halved and sliced
2 -3 large handfuls baby spinach

In a large Dutch oven or stock pot, heat olive oil. Add the turkey Italian sausage meat and the onion breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon while it cooks.  Cook until onions are translucent and meat is cooked through.  Add zucchini and cook for 4 minutes.   

Add garlic, pepper flakes, and tomato paste, and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.  Add wine and deglaze the pan by scraping the bottom with a wooden spoon.  Add tomatoes, salt, pepper, pasta, and chicken broth stir to combine. Bring to a boil then simmer for 10 minutes, until veggies are tender and pasta is cooked.

Stir in the spinach until wilted and serve.  

Italian Turkey Sausage Subs

Hearty sub sandwiches get a pop of flavor from the Italian turkey sausage.  They are and topped with gooey cheese are hard to resist!

Italian Turkey Sausage Subs

Let's talk lunch.  I love a good sandwich during lunchtime.  It's a staple in our house and this particular sandwich is meaty and hearty, with flavors that pop in your mouth.  Filled with Italian turkey sausage for a lighter calorie count these sandwiches also sneak in some veggies as well.  Onion and bell pepper lend nutrients, fiber, and flavor to the dish.  Seasonings like Italian seasoning mix, garlic, balsamic vinegar, and red pepper flakes give this sandwich that quintessential Italian flavor.  

Perfect for a weekend lunch, light dinner, game day, party or potluck.  These easy to make sandwiches will fill your tummy and warm your soul.

What Ingredients do I need?

• turkey Italian sausage 
• green bell pepper
• yellow onion
• garlic
• can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
• Italian seasoning
• balsamic vinegar
• red pepper flakes
• French-style sub rolls
• mozzarella cheese, shredded

Substitutions and Variations

• Use hot or sweet Italian sausage
• cook in a slow cooker for 2 hours on high - adding to the cooker after the meat, onions, and bell pepper is cooked
• cook in a pressure cooker - cook for 4 minutes, rapid pressure release
• double the recipe for a crowd

Kitchen Tips and Notes

• Toast the sub rolls for extra crunch
• remove sausage from casings before cooking if using links
• Make sure to simmer over the lowest flame to ensure the meat stays saucy
• Leave out the red pepper flakes for a kid friendly version
• Add red pepper flakes to satisfy your heat tolerance and liking

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Italian Turkey Sausage Subs

serves 6

1 lb. turkey Italian sausage 
3/4 cup green bell pepper strips
1/2 cup yellow onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 14.5 ounce can fire-roasted diced tomatoes, undrained
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, crushed
2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
pinch crushed red pepper flakes
6 French-style sub rolls
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

In a large skillet cook sausage, bell pepper, onion, and garlic over medium heat until meat is browned; drain off fat.  Add in the tomatoes, Italian seasoning, balsamic vinegar, and red pepper flakes.  Stir to combine.

Cover with a lid and turn the fire down to low.  Simmer covered for 20 minutes.  Toast sub rolls if desired.  Fill with meat filling and top with shredded mozzarella cheese.

Zucchini and Saugage Flatbread Pizza

Yum

Father's Day is next weekend and I think this recipe will excite him to no end.

My father always loved a good pizza.  Today there are so many options on which to use as a base for the pizza it opens up a endless variations.

Today we are using Flatbread.  I found a really nice flatbread pizza at the store made by Brooklyn Bred Pizza Crust Thin Traditional.  It's really long and the dough is thin enough to crisp up well.  If you can't find this brand any brand will do.  Naan makes a great pizza!

What makes this pizza different.  Well the toppings for one.  We have zucchini.  Not just any old zucchini, but one that is broiled and seasoned just right with a touch of Italian Seasoning.  This creates a moist and crispy zucchini round that is just a fabulous topping.  The other is sausage.  What's better than sausage on a pizza?  But in this case to keep this a little healthier I chose a great turkey mild Italian sausage.  This flavor combination is awesome together.  You and your family are gonna love it.

Everyone loves a good pizza and this is the perfect dish to serve Dad on Father's Day!  It a little different than your normal burger or steak but just as hearty when you serve it with a nice Italian side salad, and a beer! Plus the best part is that you can have this done and served in about 30 minutes.  Don't you just love quick meals.

Being a quick meal allows you to spend more time with your loved ones.  Win, Win!  I would say that this is perfect for a weeknight, or Friday night pizza night as well.  Heck, pizza is good anytime in my book!

One flatbread serves 2 people, maybe 3, so if you are feeding more just make two!

Happy Father's Day to all the guys out there!  What would we do without their strong guidance and love.

Enjoy!





Zucchini and Sausage Flatbread Pizza

serves 2-3

1 Long Rectangular Flatbread Pizza Crust (such as Brooklyn Bred)
1/2 cup pizza sauce
9 oz of Turkey mild or hot Italian Sausage, casings removed
1 tsp Italian Seasoning
1/2 tsp salt
1 medium zucchini
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
olive oil

Preheat oven to broil. Trim the zucchini, then cut into ⅓-inch-thick rounds. Place zucchini on a lightly oiled baking sheet. Season with salt, pepper, and the Italian seasoning. Place under broiler and broil until softened and browned, 5-7 minutes. (TIP: Keep an eye on the zucchini—it can burn easily.) Remove sheet from broiler, then adjust oven temperature to 450 degrees.

Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Remove sausage from casings; discard casings. Add sausage to pan, breaking up meat into small pieces. Cook, tossing occasionally, until cooked through, 4-6 minutes.

Place flatbreads on baking sheet. Spread sauce evenly over the flatbread. Scatter mozzarella over the sauce, then arrange the zucchini and the sausage on top.

Bake in oven until cheese melts and crust is golden brown and crisp, 5-7 minutes. Cut into slices, and serve.