Hearty Macho Minestrone Soup with a Spicy Kick

This Macho Minestrone recipe is a hearty and flavorful soup that will warm you up on a cold day. Packed with a variety of vegetables, beans, pasta, and Italian spices, this soup is not only delicious but also nutritious. The addition of spicy Italian sausage adds a kick of heat, making it perfect for those who like their soup with a little extra spice. This recipe is easy to make and can be customized with your favorite vegetables and herbs. Serve it with crusty bread for a complete and satisfying meal.

Ingredients

• 1 pound spicy Italian sausage, casings removed
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 1 zucchini, diced
• 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
• 1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes
• 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15 ounces) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 1 cup small pasta, such as ditalini or macaroni
• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
• Fresh basil, chopped, for serving

Directions

1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the Italian sausage over medium-high heat, breaking it up into small pieces with a spoon, until browned and cooked through. Remove the sausage from the pot and set aside.
2. In the same pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, carrots, and celery, and cook until the vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Stir in the zucchini and bell pepper, and cook for an additional 3 minutes.
4. Add the diced tomatoes (with their juice), broth, kidney beans, cannellini beans, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
5. Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
6. After the soup has simmered for 20 minutes, add the cooked sausage and cooked pasta to the pot. Stir well to combine and heat for an additional 5 minutes.
7. Serve the Macho Minestrone hot, garnished with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh basil. Enjoy!

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