Minestrone With Italian Sausage

Total Time: 1 hr 25 mins Preparation Time: 25 mins Cook Time: 1 hr

Ingredients

• 1 lb bulk italian sausage
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 large carrots, chopped
• 2 celery ribs, chopped
• 1 medium leek ( portion only)
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 medium zucchini, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
• 1/4 lb fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 1/2 inch pieces
• 6 cups beef broth
• 2 (14 1/2 ounce) cans diced tomatoes with basil oregano and garlic
• 3 cups shredded cabbage
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 (15 ounce) can garbanzo beans or 1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 1/2 cup uncooked small shell pasta
• 3 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
• 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese

Recipe

• 1 in soup kettle, cook sausage and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain.
• 2 stir in the carrots, celery, leek and garlic; cook for 3 minutes.
• 3 add zucchini and green beans; cook 2 minutes longer.
• 4 stir in broth, tomatoes, cabbage, basil, oregano and pepper.
• 5 bring to a boil.
• 6 reduce heat; cover, simmer for 45 minutes.
• 7 return to a boil, stir in garbanzo beans, pasta and parsley.
• 8 cook for 6-9 minutes or until the pasta is tender.
• 9 serve with parmesan cheese.