Main Dish Minestrone

Total Time: 1 hr 15 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 1 hr

Ingredients

• Servings: 8
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 lb italian sausage, crumbled
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 1/2 cup chopped carrot
• 1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
• 1 (16 ounce) can tomatoes
• 4 cups chicken stock
• 2 cups shredded cabbage
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 pinch dried thyme
• 1/2 cup elbow macaroni
• 1 cup kidney bean, cooked
• parmesan cheese, grated

Recipe

• 1 in a large saucepan or stock pot, heat the oil. add the sausage and cook until browned.
• 2 drain off all but 1 tablespoon of the fat. add the onion, celery, garlic, carrot, and green peper and saute until the vegetables are soft, about 5 minutes.
• 3 add the tomatoes with their liquid, chicken stock, cabbage, and herbs. bring to a boil, cover and simmer for 30 minutes.
• 4 add the macaroni and beans and cook until the macaroni is tender, about 30 minutes.
• 5 remove the bay leaf before serving. sprinkle each serving with parmesan cheese if desired.
• 6 note: you can use either sweet or hot italian sausage in this. serve with a good, crusty bread.