The holidays are past and the chill of winter is getting harder to ignore! This hearty, healthy delicious soup is the perfect dish to warm and nourish you on these cold, dreary days. It comes together really quickly and easily, making it the perfect winter dinner. You can even freeze and reheat any leftovers, so the convenience never ends!
Ingredients:
· 2lbs Italian sausage (mild or hot)
· 1 medium onion, chopped
· 3 celery stalks, chopped
· 2 carrots, peeled & cut into small pieces
· 5 cloves garlic, minced
· 1 can cannellini or garbanzo beans
· 1 can tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
· 3 cups chicken broth
· 1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
· Salt and pepper, to taste
· Rind of sheep cheese, such as pecorino romano or manchego
· 1-2 cups frozen spinach or kale
· Cooked pasta (optional)
· Grated sheep cheese (for topping)
Directions:
1. In a large pot, sauté the sausage and onion. You can add a little olive oil, but the pork should have enough fat that it’s not necessary. Break up the sausage into small crumbled pieces as it cooks.
2. Add the carrots, celery, garlic, and seasoning. Cook until they begin to soften.
3. Stir in the beans, tomato sauce, and chicken broth. Reduce heat to medium-low.
4. Add the sheep cheese rind. This imbues the soup with greater flavor and depth. It may dissolve into the soup as it cooks, but if it’s still there, remove the chunks before serving.
5. Simmer for 30 - 40 minutes.
6. In the last 10 - 15 minutes of cooking, add the frozen spinach or kale.
7. Serve hot, topped with grated sheep cheese.
*If adding pasta, cook and strain that separately. Add to the soup just before serving.