Hearty Italian Sausage Soup

This soup is DELICIOUS!!!  I especially love it in the fall because it is so hearty and has such deep flavors.  And, it's what I would consider a "one-pot wonder" because all you need is a soup pot!   {Which of course, means less dishes to clean up after cooking!!}

warm, deliciousness in a bowl

Ingredients:

• 1 onion chopped finely
• 1-2 cloves garlic, minced (I just use a few tablespoons from a jar of minced garlic that I have from the grocery store)
• 1 pound spicy pork (or turkey) sausage (like the raw kind you can make into patties for breakfast)
• 4-5 cups chicken broth
• 3-4 lg red potatoes, chopped
• 1/2 pound carrots, chopped
• 2 cans stewed ITALIAN tomatoes, UNdrained (cut tomatoes up a little more, if desired)
• 2 cans white beans, rinsed & drained
• 1 Tbsp oregano
• 1 Tbsp thyme

Directions:

• In your medium soup pot saute sausage, onion, & garlic over medium heat until meat is done & onion is clear.
• While that is cooking, chop potatoes and carrots, and rinse/drain beans
• Drain fat from meat.
• Add chicken broth, chopped potatoes & carrots, stewed tomatoes, white beans, & spices. (Add in a little water if needed to cover veggies.)
• Cook on medium-high until it starts boiling & the potatoes & carrots become tender (maybe 10 minutes of boiling).
• Turn the heat down & let it simmer 10 minutes, or until you're ready to eat it.
• Serve & enjoy!

chopped veggies (onion was already chopped & cooking at this point)

sausage, onion, & garlic ready to be drained after sauteing

I used frozen chicken broth here, so I let it thaw in the pot for a few minutes before adding the veggies 

finished product (note that it fills my medium soup pot almost to the brim!!  If you like to add "extras" to soups, you might want to use your large pot.)