Italian Sausage Minestrone

• Ingredients
• 1 lb Hot Italian Sausage in casings
• 1 can diced Italian tomatoes
• 1 Diced red bell pepper
• 1 small onion/yellow preferably sliced
• 1 Serrano Chile diced very small
• 2 garlic cloves chopped fine
• 2 large carrots sliced
• 2 good sized zucchini sliced
• 1/2 cup spinach
• 1/2 cup chopped cabbage
• 1/2 cup Asini de Pepe/pasta or other small pasta shape
• 1 can garbanzo beans
• 1 can dark red kidney beans
• 1 can tomato sauce
• Olive Oil
• 1/4 Tsp basil and oregano
• Salt and pepper
• A pinch of hot red pepper flakes
• 6 cups of water

1. Remove the Italian sausage from its casings rolling them into small to medium sized meatballs. Add the meatballs to a hot stockpot let them brown on all sides then transfer the meatballs to paper towels to drain. Keeping the pot hot with the drippings of sausage add 1 tbsp olive oil and drop in the onions, garlic, red bell peppers, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper and saute until fragrant and clear. Add the Serrano Chile and the meatballs saute for another minute or two then add the diced tomatoes, along with the tomatoes add the cans of kidney and garbanzo beans. Let this come to a simmer, add the basil and oregano. Add the water slowly and finishing with a can of tomato sauce. Let the soup come to a simmer then add salt, pepper, and carrots. Simmer the soup on medium low for 30 minutes until flavors marry. Once the soup is simmered add the zucchini, cabbage, spinach, and the pasta. The soup is done when all vegetables are cooked through and pasta is al dente. Add salt and pepper for taste. Serve with parmesan cheese and crusty bread.

ingredients, italian sausage, italian tomatoes, red bell pepper, onion, serrano, garlic, carrots, zucchini, spinach, cabbage, asini de pepepasta, garbanzo beans, dark red kidney beans, tomato sauce, olive oil, ubc, salt, water

Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/member/views/italian-sausage-minestrone-50028587 (may not work)