Sausage and chunky vegetable soup
Cozy Up with Sausage Meatball Minestrone Soup: A Hearty Italian Classic
As the days get shorter and the evenings cooler, there’s nothing quite like a warm, comforting bowl of soup. And when it comes to comforting soups, Italian Minestrone is hard to beat! Our Sausage Meatball Minestrone Soup takes this classic to the next level, adding savory sausage meatballs for a truly satisfying meal. It’s packed with fresh vegetables, bursting with flavor, and surprisingly easy to make.
This isn’t your average minestrone. The addition of homemade sausage meatballs elevates the soup, providing a hearty protein boost and a delicious depth of flavor. We use good quality pork sausages to ensure maximum taste, but feel free to experiment with different flavors – Italian sausage with fennel would be fantastic!
What makes this recipe special?
- Homemade Meatballs: Forget store-bought! Making your own meatballs is easier than you think and makes all the difference.
- Vegetable Packed: We’ve included a classic combination of carrots, celery, onion, and potato, but you can easily adapt it to include your favorite seasonal vegetables.
- Savory Broth: The combination of vegetable stock, tomatoes, and bay leaves creates a rich and flavorful broth that will warm you from the inside out.
- Easy to Customize: Don’t be afraid to add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little heat, or a handful of spinach or kale for extra nutrients.
Serving Suggestions:
Serve your Sausage Meatball Minestrone Soup with a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese and a crusty loaf of bread for dipping. It’s perfect for a weeknight dinner, a cozy weekend lunch, or even a potluck gathering.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Can I make this soup vegetarian?
A: Absolutely! Simply omit the sausage meatballs and use a vegetable broth. You could add some cannellini beans or chickpeas for extra protein.
Q: Can I make the meatballs ahead of time?
A: Yes! You can make the meatballs a day or two in advance and store them in the refrigerator until ready to cook.
Q: What kind of potatoes are best for this soup?
A: We recommend using a waxy potato like Yukon Gold or red potatoes, as they hold their shape well during cooking.
Q: Can I freeze this soup?
A: Yes, but the texture of the vegetables may change slightly. It’s best to freeze the soup without the meatballs and add them after reheating.
Q: What if I don’t have bay leaves?
A: While bay leaves add a lovely depth of flavor, you can omit them if you don’t have any. You could substitute with a sprig of rosemary or thyme.
We hope you enjoy this hearty and flavorful Sausage Meatball Minestrone Soup as much as we do! It’s a recipe that’s sure to become a family favorite.
Sausage Meatball Minestrone Soup
Ingredients
- 6 good quality pork sausages
- 1 clove of garlic
- 2 stalks celery
- 2 large carrots
- 1 large onion
- 1 large white potato
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tin chopped tomatoes
- 1/4 head savoy cabbage
- 1.5 litres vegetable stock heated
- 2 teaspoons sunflower oil
- To taste Grated Parmesan cheese For serving
Instructions
- Cut up your vegetables into small chunks.
- Heat 1 teaspoon of oil in a large saucepan.
- Gently fry your onions until they soften, then add the garlic and the other vegetables. Fry for around 3 or 4 minutes.
- Add your vegetable stock, tomatoes and bay leaves.
- Bring to the boil and then allow to simmer for 20 minutes.
- Remove the skin from your sausages and place the meat in a large bowl, season with salt and pepper.
- Roll small amounts of the sausage meat into balls and set aside on a plate.
- Heat the oil in a frying pan and then fry your sausage meatballs on a medium heat until cooked through and browned on the outside. Once cooked, set aside until your soup is cooked.
- Add some chopped savoy cabbage to your soup a couple of minutes before you are ready to serve and remove the bay leaves.
- Ladle the soup into bowls, add meatballs and top with grated parmesan cheese.
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