Italian Sausage Soup (Stove or Crockpot)

This recipe is directly from sister-in-law Michell.  I recently asked my family members to send favorite recipe to share, and these are some of hers. 

My winter menu just got better!!

Ingredients:

1 lb. Italian sausage (could use pepperoni, hamburger, kielbasa, or leave the meat out)

2 cloves garlic, minced
1 onion, diced

4 (14 oz) cans beef broth (7-8 cups)

2 (14.5 oz) can Italian-style diced tomatoes
3 potatoes, diced

1 C. sliced carrots
 1/4 t. ground black pepper
1 tsp salt

1 (14.5 oz) can Great Northern Beans, undrained

1-2 small zucchini, cubed
3/4 C. orzo or ditalini or small pasta (my kids requested more pasta so I add 1 C)

2 C. spinach, packed, rinsed and torn (if frozen thawed and squeeze out water)

Directions:

1. Brown sausage with garlic and onion. Drain.  Stir in broth, tomatoes, potato and carrots, and season with salt and pepper.  Reduce heat, cover and simmer 15 min.

2. Stir in beans with liquid and zucchini and pasta.  Cover and simmer another 10 min or until pasta and zucchini are tender.

3. Remove from heat and add spinach.  Replace lid allowing the heat from the soup to cook the spinach leaves.  Soup is ready after 5 min.

4. Top with grated Parmesan cheese

OR Crockpot Directions:

1. Brown Sausage and drain.

2. Add remaining ingredients except pasta and spinach and simmer for 4-5 hours high,  6-8 low.

3. 30 min. prior to serving add pasta or just cook pasta on it's own and add to soup with a bit of the pasta water

4. Add spinach last 5 min.  Replace lid for a few minutes and serve.