Main-Dish Minestrone

Name: Main-Dish Minestrone
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 2 tablespoons butter; 1/2 lb Italian sausage, sliced or crumbled; 1 large onion, chopped; 1 clove garlic, minced; 1/2 cup chopped celery; 1/2 cup chopped carrot; 1/2 cup chopped green pepper; 2 tablespoons chopped parsley; 1/2 teaspoon dried basil; 1 pinch dried thyme; 1 bay leaf; salt & pepper; 2 cups chopped tomatoes (or 19 oz can); 4 cups chicken stock; 2 cups shredded cabbage; 1 cup cooked or canned kidney bean; 1/2 cup elbow macaroni (or other pasta)

18 ingredients

12 steps

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 lb Italian sausage, sliced or crumbled
1 large onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped carrot
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1 pinch dried thyme
1 bay leaf
salt & pepper
2 cups chopped tomatoes (or 19 oz can)
4 cups chicken stock
2 cups shredded cabbage
1 cup cooked or canned kidney bean
1/2 cup elbow macaroni (or other pasta)

Directions

1

In large heavy saucepan, heat oil and butter.
2

Add sausage; brown lightly.
3

Add onion, garlic, celery, carrot and green pepper; cook until softened but not browned.
4

Stir in parsley, basil, thyme, bay leaf and a little salt& pepper.
5

Stir in tomatoes and stock.
6

Bring to a boil; reduce heat, cover and simmer for about 10 minutes.
7

Add cabbage, beans and macaroni.
8

Cover and simmer about 30 minutes.
9

If too thick, dilute with water to desired consistency.
10

Taste and adjust seasoning.
11

A nice variation on this soup is to add ground beef instead of sausage, and beef stock instead of chicken stock.
12

Add 3/4 cup dried lentils and 1/4 cup barley instead of macaroni and kidney beans.