Rustic Italian Sausage, Zucchini & Tomato Soup Recipe

Comfort embraces every spoonful of this zucchini tomato Italian sausage soup that celebrates rustic Italian flavors.

Savory sausage mingles with tender vegetables, creating a robust and satisfying meal.

Aromatic herbs dance through the broth, infusing each bite with warmth and depth.

Fresh ingredients blend seamlessly, transforming simple components into a soul-warming dish.

The soup promises a delightful balance of robust meat and garden-fresh vegetables.

Ladle this hearty creation into bowls and watch as smiles spread across hungry faces.

Dinner just got deliciously exciting.

Ingredients That Build Zucchini Tomato Italian Sausage Soup

• Italian Sausage: Rich, hearty meat that brings robust flavor and protein punch to the soup, choose fresh ground sausage with balanced spice levels for best taste.
• Zucchini: Fresh vegetable that adds tender texture and subtle earthiness, select firm zucchini with bright green color and no soft spots.

• Onion: Foundational vegetable that builds deep, sweet undertones for soup's flavor profile, pick firm onions with no bruising or sprouting.
• Garlic: Intense flavor booster that infuses warmth and depth, choose firm, plump garlic cloves without green sprouts.

• Tomatoes: Juicy base that creates tangy, rich broth, select ripe, vibrant red tomatoes or high-quality canned tomatoes with no added preservatives.
• Chicken Broth: Smooth liquid foundation that carries all flavors together, opt for low-sodium versions to control salt content.
• Italian Herbs: Dried herb blend that adds authentic Mediterranean complexity, choose fresh or high-quality dried herb mix for maximum flavor impact.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasoning agents that elevate and balance overall taste, use freshly ground black pepper for most intense flavor.

Gear Up to Make Zucchini Tomato Italian Sausage Soup

• Dutch oven or large pot: Perfect for creating a hearty, flavorful soup with plenty of room to sauté and simmer ingredients.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Essential for breaking up sausage and stirring the soup while cooking.
• Cutting board: Needed for chopping zucchini, onions, and other vegetables.
• Sharp knife: Helps you quickly and safely prepare ingredients for the soup.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient proportions for a delicious result.

How to Simmer Zucchini Tomato Italian Sausage Soup to Perfection

• Fire Up the Pot

Heat a large Dutch oven over medium heat, creating the perfect starting point for your delicious soup adventure.

• Brown the Sausage

Toss in the Italian sausage and let it sizzle, breaking it into tasty crumbles. Cook until it’s beautifully browned and releasing those mouthwatering aromas, about 5-7 minutes. If there’s extra grease, go ahead and drain it off.

• Build the Flavor Base

Add onions and garlic to the pot, stirring them into the golden sausage. Let them dance and soften, releasing their rich, savory essence for about 3-4 minutes.

• Splash in the Liquid Magic

Pour in chicken broth and crushed tomatoes, stirring to combine all the delightful ingredients. Bring the mixture to a gentle bubble.

• Welcome the Zucchini

Slide in the zucchini chunks, letting them nestle into the soup. Let everything simmer together, creating a harmonious blend of flavors for about 10-12 minutes.

• Season and Finish

Sprinkle in Italian herbs, salt, and pepper. Give everything a loving stir and let the soup sing with flavor for a final few minutes.

• Serve and Enjoy

Ladle the steaming, fragrant soup into bowls. Top with a sprinkle of fresh Parmesan if you’re feeling extra fancy, and dive into your comfort meal.

Zucchini Tomato Soup Tips and Savory Upgrades

• Sausage Swapping: Try using spicy chicken sausage or plant-based sausage for a lighter, leaner protein option that still packs incredible flavor.
• Low-Carb Friendly: Skip the traditional bread and serve this soup over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles to reduce carbohydrate content while maintaining delicious Italian-inspired taste.
• Veggie Boost: Enhance nutritional value by adding extra vegetables like spinach, kale, or diced bell peppers during the last few minutes of cooking for more color and nutrients.
• Freezer-Friendly Hack: This soup freezes wonderfully in airtight containers for up to 3 months. Simply thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently on the stovetop, stirring occasionally to maintain texture.
• Dairy-Free Option: Replace any dairy ingredients with coconut milk or almond milk to create a creamy consistency that's suitable for lactose-intolerant or dairy-free diets.

Ways to Serve Zucchini Tomato Italian Sausage Soup

• Rustic Family Feast: Serve this hearty soup with crusty Italian bread for dipping, soaking up every delicious drop of rich broth and savory flavors.
• Cozy Comfort Plate: Pair with a simple green salad topped with parmesan cheese to balance the soup's robust and meaty profile, creating a complete meal that satisfies.
• Wine Companion Moment: Select a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese to complement the Italian sausage's spicy notes and enhance the soup's deep, warming characteristics.
• Garnish Adventure: Sprinkle freshly chopped basil or parsley on top just before serving to add a burst of fresh herbaceous aroma and bright color to the comforting soup.

Storage Tips for Zucchini Tomato Italian Sausage Soup Leftovers

• Smart Portioning: Divide soup into individual meal-sized containers for quick grab-and-go lunches or dinners throughout the week, ensuring convenient and fast meal prep.
• Refrigeration Magic: Store soup in airtight containers in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, allowing flavors to intensify and develop deeper, richer taste profiles with each passing day.
• Freezer-Friendly Strategy: Freeze soup without adding cream or dairy for optimal texture, placing in freezer-safe containers with 1-inch headspace. Thaw overnight in refrigerator and reheat gently to maintain soup's original consistency.
• Batch Cooking Brilliance: Make double or triple the recipe, separating portions for immediate consumption and future meals. Larger batches save time, reduce cooking frequency, and provide delicious, homemade meals during busy weekdays.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 300 kcal

Servings: 6

Hearty Zucchini Tomato Italian Sausage Soup Recipe

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4.6 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Hearty zucchini tomato Italian sausage soup delivers robust Mediterranean flavors with rustic charm. Small kitchen gardens inspire this simple yet satisfying one-pot meal you’ll crave during cooler seasons.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (450 g) Italian sausage (mild or spicy), casing removed
• 4 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
• 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes (with juice)
• 1 (14.5 oz) can tomato sauce
• 2 medium zucchinis, diced
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ cup heavy cream (optional, for a creamy version)
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (for serving)
• 2 tbsps fresh basil or parsley, chopped
• 1 tbsp olive oil (if needed)
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)

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Instructions

1. Sauté Sausage: Heat Dutch oven over medium flame and crumble Italian sausage, cooking until golden-brown and releasing rich flavors. Drain excess fat carefully.
2. Build Aromatics: Add onions to sausage, stirring until translucent. Incorporate minced garlic, quickly sautéing to develop fragrant base without burning.
3. Create Liquid Foundation: Pour chicken broth into pot, establishing soup’s initial flavor profile. Introduce diced zucchini and sliced Roma tomatoes, allowing them to integrate with developing broth.
4. Season and Infuse: Sprinkle dried basil, oregano, salt, and cracked black pepper throughout mixture. Stir thoroughly to distribute seasonings evenly and ensure comprehensive flavor integration.
5. Simmer and Develop: Reduce heat, allowing soup to gently simmer for 15-20 minutes. This crucial stage enables ingredients to meld, vegetables to tenderize, and flavors to harmonize completely.
6. Finalize and Serve: Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Ladle steaming soup into bowls, optionally garnishing with fresh parsley or grated Parmesan cheese for enhanced presentation and flavor complexity.

Notes

• Optimize Meat Browning: Ensure Italian sausage develops deep golden-brown color by not overcrowding the pot, allowing meat to caramelize and release maximum flavor without steaming.
• Drain Fat Strategically: Tilt pot carefully to remove excess grease, preventing soup from becoming overly oily while maintaining rich, concentrated meat flavor profile.
• Vegetable Texture Control: Cut zucchini into uniform medium-sized pieces to guarantee even cooking and prevent mushy consistency, keeping vegetables tender yet slightly firm.
• Low-Sodium and Dietary Adaptations: Select low-sodium chicken broth to control salt content, and substitute Italian sausage with plant-based alternatives or ground turkey for lighter, diet-friendly version without compromising authentic taste.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 4g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 12g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 15g
• Cholesterol: 60mg