Zucchini Tomato Italian Sausage Soup
Zucchini Tomato Italian Sausage Soup
Ingredients
2 pounds zucchini cut into bite-sized pieces
2 cups onion, diced
1 cup celery, diced
1 cup carrots, diced
2 cups red bell pepper, diced
2 tablespoons fresh garlic, minced
5 fresh plum tomatoes, diced
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 pound Italian sweet sausage, removed from casings
Pinch red pepper flakes
¼ cup tomato paste
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 quarts good quality vegetable broth
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup coarsely grated Parmesan cheese
A few Parmesan cheese rinds, optional
2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh oregano, chopped
Directions
- In a large soup pot or large Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium high heat. Oonce hot, add sausage meat. Break up meat while it cooks.
- Once the meat has browned, add onion, celery, carrots and bell pepper and sauté for 4 minutes.
- Set the vegetables to the sides and reduce heat to medium. Add garlic, pepper flakes and tomato paste to center and cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add tomatoes, zucchini, salt, pepper, broth, Parmesan cheese and Parmesan rinds along with fresh basil and fresh oregano and stir to combine.
- Bring to a medium simmer and cook until the vegetables are tender, about 10-15 minutes.
- Remove from heat and discard the Parmesan rinds.
- Serve with additional Parmesan cheese on the side. Enjoy.