Description
This robust and comforting Italian-inspired soup features lean ground chicken sausage, a medley of garden-fresh vegetables, and tender pasta in a rich, flavorful tomato broth. Perfect for a busy weeknight, this one-pot wonder builds deep complexity through aromatic sautéing and simmering, offering a wholesome and satisfying meal that warms the soul. It is a pork-free, alcohol-free dish that balances lean protein with nutritious produce for a family-friendly dinner experience.
Ingredients
1 lb Ground Chicken Sausage (casings removed)
1 large Yellow Onion (finely diced)
4 cloves Garlic (minced)
2 medium Carrots (sliced into half-moons)
2 stalks Celery (chopped)
28 oz Crushed Tomatoes (fire-roasted preferred)
6 cups Chicken Broth (low sodium)
1 cup Ditalini Pasta
3 cups Kale (roughly chopped, ribs removed)
1 tbsp Italian Seasoning
Instructions
Heat a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat and brown the ground chicken sausage until fully cooked.
Remove the sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside on a paper towel-lined plate.
Sauté the onions, carrots, and celery in the remaining rendered fat until they soften.
Add the minced garlic and Italian seasoning, cooking for about 1 minute until fragrant.
Pour in the crushed tomatoes and chicken broth, then return the cooked sausage to the pot.
Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
Stir in the ditalini pasta and cook until al dente, approximately 8-10 minutes.
Add the chopped kale and stir until wilted, about 2-3 minutes.
Serve hot, adjusting seasoning to taste if needed.
Notes
Ensure you remove the casings from the chicken sausage before browning to get a nice crumble. You can substitute ditalini with small shell pasta if desired. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 35
- Category: Recipes
- Method: Stovetop simmering
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 65mg