Healthy Zucchini Tomato Italian Sausage Soup

Zucchini Tomato Italian Sausage Soup – Delicious, nourishing and packed with healthy vegetables. You’ll enjoy every spoonful of our zucchini tomato Italian sausage soup. It is an easy 30-minute soup recipe that cooks right on the stovetop for a comforting and satisfying dinner. Try this Italian sausage soup and add some warmth to your day. Enjoy!

Ingredients list for the Zucchini Tomato Italian Sausage Soup

• • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 pound Italian sweet sausage, removed from casings
  • 2 cups chopped onion
  • 1 cup diced celery
  • 2 cups red bell pepper, diced (about one large pepper)
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • Pinch red pepper flakes
  • ¼ cup tomato paste
  • 5 fresh plum tomatoes, diced
  • 2 pounds zucchini cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 quarts low-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth
  • 1 cup coarsely grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 or 2 pieces of parmesan rind (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
  • 1 fresh thyme sprig
  • Extra Parmesan cheese for garnish, optional

Directions

1. To make the zucchini tomato Italian sausage soup: In a large soup pot or large Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat and once hot, add Italian sausage meat. Break up the meat while it cooks with a wooden spoon.

2. Once the Italian sausage meat has browned, add onion, celery, and bell pepper and sauté for four minutes.

3. Move the meat and vegetables to the sides and lower heat to medium. Add garlic, pepper flakes and tomato paste to the center of the Dutch oven and cook for two minutes, stirring occasionally. Add tomatoes, zucchini, salt, pepper, chicken broth, Parmesan rind, and Parmesan cheese along with fresh basil and fresh rosemary and stir to combine.

4. Bring the soup to a medium simmer and cook just long enough until the vegetables are tender – about 10-15 minutes.

5. Remove the soup from heat and remove the Parmesan rinds. Serve the zucchini tomato Italian sausage soup immediately with additional fresh basil and Parmesan cheese on top. Enjoy!