Name: Italian Sausage Vegetable Soup
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 1 pound Italian sweet sausage (see Note 1); 1 clove garlic (finely minced); 2 14.5 oz cans beef broth; 1 14.5 oz can Italian-style stewed tomatoes; 1 cup sliced carrots; 1 14.5 oz can great northern beans (undrained); 2 small zucchini (cubed); 2 cups fresh spinach (rinsed and torn into small pieces); ¼ tsp ground black pepper; ¼ tsp salt

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This Italian sausage vegetable soup is hearty, healthy, and ridiculously simple to make. With fresh vegetables, flavorful sausage, and a rich broth, it’s a one-pot wonder that comes together in under an hour. Perfect for chilly evenings, family dinners, or impressing guests who will definitely ask for the recipe.

Cool nights call for soup that’s hearty, colorful, and easy. This one checks all the boxes: zucchini for garden freshness, tomatoes for brightness, spinach for that pop of green. It’s simple, fast, and full of flavor. The kind of meal that feels like fall in a bowl and earns you “signature dish” status with zero fuss.

Ingredients You’ll Need for the Perfect Flavor

A good soup is more than a recipe. It’s the balance of flavors, colors, and textures working together. Here’s what makes this one special, plus a few ways to swap things.

Italian Sweet Sausage

Sweet Italian sausage brings the right balance of savory spices without too much heat. If you like things spicy, go for hot Italian sausage instead. Watching your fat intake? Turkey Italian sausage is a lighter option that still delivers big flavor.

Garlic (finely minced)

Garlic deepens the flavor without overpowering. Fresh is best, but if all you’ve got is jarred or powdered, don’t let that stop you.

Beef Broth

Store-bought works just fine (low sodium if you want more control), but if you’ve got homemade stock in the freezer, now’s the time to use it.

Italian-Style Stewed Tomatoes

These add a pop of color and a tangy brightness that keeps the soup from feeling heavy. If you only have plain diced tomatoes, stir in a pinch of Italian seasoning to fake it beautifully.

Carrots (sliced)

Carrots bring sweetness and texture, balancing the savory broth. Baby carrots sliced up will do the trick if that’s what’s in your crisper.

Great Northern Beans

Beans make the soup hearty and satisfying without the need for pasta or rice. Cannellini beans are a fine stand-in if that’s what you have, or even chickpeas if you want a little nuttier bite.

Zucchini (cubed)

This is where summer sneaks into fall. Zucchini softens in the broth but still holds its shape. Don’t have zucchini? Yellow squash works just as well.

Fresh Spinach

Torn spinach stirred in at the end adds a gorgeous pop of green and a fresh finish. Kale can be swapped in for a sturdier bite, but give it extra simmer time to soften.

Salt & Black Pepper

Simple but essential. These pull the flavors together. Start light, taste, and adjust. Your broth and sausage already bring plenty of seasoning to the party.

MORE: Does Chicken Soup Really Heal? Science Says Yes

Step-by-Step Instructions for Homemade Comfort

Making this soup is about building layers of flavor and texture so every spoonful tastes like comfort. Here’s how to make it happen:

1. Brown the sausage with garlic.

Browning develops those rich, caramelized bits on the bottom of the pot. The garlic mellows as it cook. Pro tip: if you’re using turkey sausage, add a drizzle of olive oil to help it brown nicely.

2. Add the broth, tomatoes, and carrots.

The carrots need a head start because they take a little longer to soften, and the tomatoes bring brightness to balance the richness of the sausage.

3. Simmer gently.

Cover the pot and let it do its thing for 15 minutes. This isn’t just about cooking. It’s about giving the flavors time to mingle. Perfect time to pour yourself a glass of wine, fold some laundry, or scroll Instagram guilt-free.

4. Stir in beans and zucchini.

The beans bring heartiness, while the zucchini adds that garden-fresh bite. Since zucchini cooks fast, adding it later keeps it from turning mushy.

5. Another short simmer.

Fifteen minutes is all it takes for the zucchini to soften and the beans to soak up the broth’s flavor. You’ll notice the soup starting to look more “finished” at this stage.

6. Finish with spinach.

Turn off the heat, toss in the spinach, and pop the lid back on. The residual steam cooks the spinach perfectly, soft but still bright green. It’s the pop of color that makes this soup look (and taste) fresh, even after a long simmer.

7. Serve and enjoy.

That’s it! Ladle into bowls, top with a sprinkle of Parmesan if you’d like, and get ready for the compliments. Bonus: this soup tastes even better the next day, so don’t be shy about making a big batch.

What to Serve with Italian Sausage Vegetable Soup

This soup shines on its own, but it’s even better with a few simple sides. A loaf of crusty bread or garlic toast is perfect for dunking. A crisp green salad balances out the richness, and if you’re feeling extra cozy, a glass of red wine won’t hurt either. Keep it simple. That’s the beauty of this recipe.

Italian Sausage Vegetable Soup recipe White bean soup with tomatoes, spinach, carrots and parmesan close-up

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4.84 from 6 votes

Italian Sausage Vegetable Soup

Prepare for this to become your signature dish. Your guests will beg for the recipe! It’s hearty, colorful, and fast, too. Packed with sausage, beans, and fresh vegetables, this soup will see you through chilly fall evenings and cold winter days.

Prep Time15

Cook Time35

Total Time50

Course: Soup

Cuisine: Italian

Servings:

Calories: 295kcal

Ingredients

1 pound Italian sweet sausage see Note 1
1 clove garlic finely minced
2 14.5 oz cans beef broth
1 14.5 oz can Italian-style stewed tomatoes
1 cup sliced carrots
1 14.5 oz can great northern beans undrained
2 small zucchini cubed
2 cups fresh spinach rinsed and torn into small pieces
¼ tsp ground black pepper
¼ tsp salt

Instructions

In a large pot, brown the sausage with garlic over medium heat. Drain excess fat if needed.
Stir in the broth, tomatoes, and carrots. Season with salt and pepper.
Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.
Add beans (with liquid) and zucchini. Cover and simmer another 15 minutes, or until zucchini is tender.
Remove from heat, stir in spinach, and replace the lid. Let the residual heat gently cook the spinach for 2–3 minutes—it will stay bright green and slightly firm.
Serve hot with crusty bread or garlic toast for dunking.

Notes

Swap sweet sausage for hot Italian sausage if you like a little kick.
Turkey Italian sausage is a leaner alternative that works beautifully.
Cannellini beans can replace great northern beans if that’s what’s in your pantry.
For extra flavor, add a pinch of Italian seasoning or a Parmesan rind while simmering, then remove before serving.
Leftovers? This soup tastes even better the next day and freezes well for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Question: What’s your ultimate comfort soup? Chicken noodle, tomato basil, or something totally unique? Let me know in the comments below.

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Please keep your comments positive, encouraging, helpful, brief,
and on-topic in keeping with EC Commenting Guidelines

Pat B. yet again says:

September 8, 2025 at 12:54 pm

Yet again, blessings on you for this fabulous recipe. It’s wonderful!

MH says:

September 8, 2025 at 12:42 pm

I’ve made your recipe several times and love it. Since then I’ve combined yours and a couple of others to this…you might want to try it:
Ingredients
2 pound Andouille, OR Kielbasa, OR Italian Sausage etc , cut across into 1/8-inch-thick slices
2 large onion, peeled and chopped
4 clove garlic, peeled and minced
4 large baking potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch cubes (or no potatoes and use pasta)
6-8 Cups KALE ( i use spinach, stemmed and coarsely chopped (about 6 cups) (could use cabbage)
8 cups chicken broth, (perhaps 7 cups if using canned diced tomatoes w/ juice)
2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
Salt to taste
Freshly ground pepper to taste
28 oz can diced tomatoes with juice
2 cans/ 24 oz Beans: White- Cannellini, Great Northern,- DRAIN
Thyme, Rosemary,Oregano, Parsley,Worcestershire Sauce
NOTE: can add chopped Zucchini and/or Yellow Squash

Steps
Place the sausage in a large pot over medium-low heat and cook until it begins to render its fat, about 2 minutes. Add the onion and cook for 2 minutes. Add the garlic and potatoes and cook for 2 minutes. Add the kale and cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes longer.
Stir in the chicken broth, vinegar and salt and herbs, squash/zucchini if using. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 1 hour. Season with pepper. Stir in the tomatoes and drained beans and cook, uncovered, for 15 minutes. Divide among bowls and serve. Shredded Parmesan on top is good.

Pat B. again says:

March 19, 2025 at 12:16 am

Been using your recipe for years, get raves every time, including last night. Many many thanks!

Mary G. says:

September 23, 2022 at 5:12 pm

Does it have potatoes? If not what is the white chunks?

Mary Hunt says:
September 24, 2022 at 7:25 am

I stray from the exact recipe using vegetables I have and yes I have added potatoes on occasion 🙂

Sharon says:

September 23, 2022 at 2:14 pm

What can I use in place of zuccini since, with winter on its way, there won’t be any available in the stores.

Mary Hunt says:
September 23, 2022 at 3:52 pm

You can find bags of frozen zucchini and yellow squash in your supermarket, year round. You can certainly use that. Or you still have time to freeze both now, to last thru the winter. Check these excellent instructions for how to freeze fresh zucchini in chunks or slices.
Anita says:
September 23, 2022 at 8:19 pm

I wouldn’t be quite the same, but a potato cubed could work (add when adding the carrots). Or just skip it. The beauty of soup is that you can use what you’ve got on hand and leave out what you don’t.

Linda says:

September 22, 2022 at 2:22 pm

I made this soup last year and it was FABULOUS. Thanks for the reminder!

Pat B. says:

September 22, 2022 at 12:25 pm

This has been my signature dish since the last time you posted it. It is totally fabulous! I have the recipe posted and printed out and I have several copies of just the ingredients listed so I can grab it on the way to the grocery store. I pour blessings on your head every time I make it.

Mary Hunt says:
September 22, 2022 at 7:01 pm

Thanks for that, Pat B. Truly I am blessed.

Italian Sausage Vegetable Soup Recipe for Cold Nights