Vacations are great, but sometimes you feel like you need a vacation after your vacation. That’s exactly how I felt when we got home. We had a fabulous time on our trip, but it was go, go, go! So on Monday, the last thing I wanted to do was run to the grocery store, I really just wanted to curl up on the couch and watch endless episodes of Law and Order.
Since dinner was not going to make itself, I started scrounging around the kitchen to see what I had on hand. As soon as I remembered that I had some Italian sausage in the freezer, the idea for this soup was born. It was so easy to throw together and the result was totally delicious! I managed to scrounge up some vegetables that were still good and the rest of the ingredients were pantry items.
If you, like me, are trying to avoid a trip to the grocery store, you really could use what ever veggies you have on hand. I think zucchini, green beans or corn would also taste great in this soup.
Cannelli Bean and Sausage Soup
- 1 lb bulk Italian sausage
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small red onion, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
- 1 cup shredded or chopped carrot (I happened to have shredded on hand)
- 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/2 cup white wine (I used chardonnay)
- 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes (I used Red Gold garlic and olive oil, but plain would be fine)
- 7 cups chicken stock
- 2 (15 oz) cans cannellini beans
- optional garnishes, grated parmesan, chopped fresh basil
Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium high heat.
Brown sausage and break up with a spoon.
Once sausage has just a little pink remaining, reduce heat to medium and add onion, red pepper, celery, carrots and garlic. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Continue cooking until sausage is no longer pink and veggies are starting to soften, about 5 minutes.
Stir in white wine and let cook for about 1 minute.
Stir in tomatoes, chicken stock and cannellini beans.
Bring soup to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for at least 15 minutes to allow flavors to blend. Adjust salt and pepper if necessary.
Serve with grated parmesan cheese and chopped fresh basil, if desired.
ENJOY!