Gretchen's Hot Italian Soup

Warm up with Gretchen's Hot Italian Soup, a hearty and flavorful one-pot wonder that brings bold Italian flavors to your table in just 50 minutes! Packed with savory Italian sausage, vibrant vegetables like zucchini, carrots, and spinach, and seasoned with aromatic herbs such as oregano and basil, this soup is a comforting classic. The addition of tender pasta and a hint of crushed red pepper flakes adds a satisfying texture and a gentle kick of heat. Finished with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, this dish is perfect for cozy family dinners or meal prep for the week. Serve it with a crusty loaf of bread for a complete, soul-soothing meal that’s sure to impress.

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound Italian sausage
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 2 medium carrots, diced
• 2 stalks celery stalks, diced
• 1 medium zucchini, diced
• 0.5 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 28 ounces canned diced tomatoes
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup small pasta (e.g., ditalini or small shells)
• 4 cups baby spinach, roughly chopped
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the Italian sausage to the pot, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, and cook until browned and fully cooked, about 8 minutes. Remove the sausage from the pot and set aside.

Step 3

In the same pot, add the diced onion, garlic, carrots, and celery. Sauté the vegetables over medium heat until they are softened, about 5 minutes.

Step 4

Stir in the zucchini, crushed red pepper flakes, dried oregano, and dried basil. Cook for an additional 2 minutes to coat the vegetables in the spices.

Step 5

Add the canned diced tomatoes (with their juices) and the chicken broth to the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil.

Step 6

Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer. Add the cooked sausage back into the pot and let the soup simmer for 20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 7

While the soup is simmering, cook the pasta in a separate pot according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.

Step 8

After the soup has simmered, stir in the chopped spinach and cooked pasta. Simmer for another 2-3 minutes until the spinach is wilted and heated through.

Step 9

Season the soup with salt and black pepper to taste.

Step 10

Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with grated Parmesan cheese before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(3602.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3160.8

Total Fat 174.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 58.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 30.6g
Cholesterol 418.7mg	0%
Sodium 11135.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 250.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 33.8g	0%
Total Sugars 56.1g
Protein 161.7g	0%

Vitamin D 181.4IU	0%
Calcium 1149.9mg	0%
Iron 21.7mg	0%
Potassium 6550.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 48.8%

Protein: 20.1%

Carbs: 31.1%