Basil Pesto Minestrone With Sweet Italian Sausage Recipes

MINESTRONE WITH ITALIAN SAUSAGE

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, cook sausage and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the carrots, celery and leek; cook for 3 minutes. Add the zucchini, green beans and garlic; cook 1 minute longer. , Stir in the broth, tomatoes, cabbage, basil, oregano and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 45 minutes. , Return to a boil. Stir in the garbanzo beans, pasta and parsley. Cook for 6-9 minutes or until pasta is tender. Serve with cheese.

CREAMY PESTO GNOCCHI WITH ITALIAN SAUSAGE

Steps:

• In a large pot, cook the gnocchi according to the package directions. Drain, rinse and return them to the pot.
• In a 12" skillet, heat oil over medium heat and saute the snap peas and red peppers until tender, about 4 minutes. Toss into the pot with the reserved cooked gnocchi. In the same skillet, cook and crumble Italian sausage until cooked through about 8-10 minutes. Transfer sausage to the pot with the vegetables and pasta.
• Over med-low heat, stir to combine the pasta, vegetables and sausage mixture. Add the pesto and light cream; toss gently to coat all the ingredients. Heat through and serve with freshly grated parmesan cheese.
• Serves 6
• * Substitution, if you can't find gnocchi, try this easy pesto and cream sauce on any type of pasta. You can also use 3/4 cup of frozen peas in place of the snap peas.

MINESTRONE SOUP WITH ITALIAN SAUSAGE

Steps:

• Cook the sausage links in a large soup pot over medium-low heat. After 4-5 minutes turn the sausages, add 1/4 cup water, cover and cook for another 8-10 minutes or until cooked through. Transfer the sausages to a cutting board and allow to cool before coin slicing.
• Over medium heat, add olive oil to the same large soup pot. Cook the garlic, carrots and onion until wilted, stirring occasionally. Add the cabbage, zucchini, potato, both stocks and tomato paste. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and add 2 tablespoons of the parsley, oregano, basil, pepper and salt to taste. Simmer uncovered over medium heat for about 15 minutes.
• Add the sausage, beans, tomatoes, and pasta, simmer until the pasta is done (about 8 minutes). Serve with a sprinkling of fresh parsley and grated parmesan cheese.

MINESTRONE WITH PESTO

Steps:

• Heat oil over medium heat in a stockpot. Stir in leek and onion and cook for 5 to 6 minutes. Add carrots, celery, and garlic; cook for 5 minutes. Add potatoes and cook for 2 to 3 minutes more.
• Pour hot vegetable broth into the pot and stir well. Add bay leaf and thyme; season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and let simmer for 10 to 12 minutes.
• Stir in zucchini and peas. Let simmer for 5 minutes. Add tomatoes, cover, and let simmer for 5 to 8 minutes.
• Uncover the pot and stir in beans. Let simmer for 10 minutes; stir in pesto sauce and let simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand for 3 to 4 minutes. Serve topped with Parmesan cheese.

MINESTRONE WITH BASIL

Steps:

• Place beans in medium bowl. Add enough cold water to cover by 2 inches; soak overnight. Drain.
• Place beans in large Dutch oven. Add 5 cups water and next 11 ingredients and bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer until beans are tender, stirring occasionally, about 1 hour.
• Transfer 2 cups soup and whole potato to blender and puree. Return puree to soup in pot. Add pasta and 1/4 cup basil; simmer uncovered until pasta is cooked through and flavors blend, stirring occasionally, about 25 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Mix in 1/4 cup basil. Serve with Parmesan cheese.

BASIL PESTO MINESTRONE WITH SWEET ITALIAN SAUSAGE

Steps:

• Bring large soup pan to high heat and add oil. Saute onions, zucchini, celery, carrots, and bay leaves until onions are translucent.
• Add stock, tomatoes, beans, basil, oregano, Italian seasoning, salt + pepper to taste, water, green beans, Parmesan rind, and garlic. Bring to boil and then reduce heat to simmer for 25 minutes.
• While soup is simmering cook sausage on charcoal/gas grill with a hunk of smoking wood (if available).
• Add pasta,spinach, and water and simmer for 25 minutes longer.
• When sausage is finished cooking, chop it into small chunks.
• Add red wine and sausage and cook for 5 minutes longer.
• Serve each bowl with about 1 teaspoon of basil pesto. Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan to taste. Have extra virgin olive oil at table to drizzle in soup.