Vegetable Soup with Turkey Italian Sausage, White Beans, and Spinach AND a Giveaway!

This is another "clean out my pantry to prepare for our big move" recipe. I found some turkey Italian sausage and homemade chicken broth in the freezer so I decided to make a big batch of soup with them. I grabbed diced tomatoes and white beans out of the cupboard and carrots, celery, onion, spinach, and basil from the refrigerator. I threw them all together and let them simmer for 2 hours. The soup was hearty and comforting - perfect for the cold weather we have been having. I served the soup with Parmesan and Black Pepper Biscuits for a delicious and healthy meal that we all enjoyed.

Vegetable Soup with Turkey Italian Sausage, White Beans, and Spinach:

Recipe and photos by For the Love of Cooking.net

• 2 tsp olive oil
• 1/2 sweet yellow onion
• 4 turkey Italian sausages, casings removed
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery, diced
• 1/4 tsp dried oregano
• 2 cans of diced tomatoes
• 5 cups of chicken broth
• Sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste
• 1-2 cans of white kidney beans, drained & rinsed
• 2 cups of fresh spinach
• 2 tbsp fresh basil, chiffonade
• Parmesan cheese, shredded

Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced onion and turkey Italian sausage (removed from casings). Using a spatula, break up the sausage as it cooks into small crumbles. Cook for 4-5 minutes or until the onion is tender and the sausage is cooked. Add the minced garlic and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Add the carrots, celery, oregano, tomatoes, chicken broth, sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste.

Simmer the soup on low for 2 hours. Add the drained white beans, spinach, and fresh basil right before serving. Ladle the soup into bowls then top with freshly shredded Parmesan cheese. Enjoy.

Click here for a printable version of this recipe - For the Love of Cooking.net

GIVEAWAY:

How pretty are these aprons? I love that they come is such cute fabrics and different lengths. Spicy Aprons is giving one of my readers an apron of their choice that is worth $28.99 or less. There are several aprons to choose from so check out the Etsy page to see all of the amazing creations. I had to add the Bronco apron especially for my sister Dana who happens to be the BIGGEST Bronco fan ever! All you have to do to enter the giveaway is comment on this post. If you leave an anonymous comment be sure to leave your name and e-mail address so I have someone to contact if you are chosen. The giveaway ends on October 30, 2011 at 7:00 pm Pacific Time.

GOOD LUCK!!!