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High protein minestrone soup served with crusty bread, finished with lemon and Parmesan

High-Protein Minestrone Soup

5 from 1 vote
This high-protein minestrone soup is cozy, hearty, and genuinely filling. Made with chicken sausage, kidney beans, bone broth, and high-protein pasta, it’s a nourishing one-pot dinner that’s perfect for meal prep and cold nights.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes

Video

Servings : 6 servings

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Ingredients

Ingredients
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb chicken sausage, casings removed
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 medium carrots, diced
  • 2 celery ribs, diced
  • 1 medium zucchini, diced
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, (optional)
  • 1 28-oz can crushed tomatoes
  • 6 cups bone broth, chicken or beef
  • 1 15-oz can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup dry high-protein pasta, mini penne, ditalini, small shells, or elbow
  • 4 cups baby spinach
  • 1 Parmesan rind, optional
  • fresh lemon juice, 1-2 lemons
  • salt, to taste
For serving:
  • fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • lemon zest and additional lemon juice, optional
Start Cooking

Instructions
 

  1. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 lb chicken sausage and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through.
    Chicken sausage browning in a Dutch oven for high protein minestrone soup
  2. Dice 1 medium onion, 2 medium carrots, and 2 celery ribs. And them to the pot and cook for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.
    Chicken sausage sautéed with onion, carrots, and celery for high protein minestrone soup
  3. Stir in 1 medium zucchini (diced), 6 cloves garlic (minced), 1 tbsp fresh rosemary and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.
    Chicken sausage sautéed with onion, carrots, and celery for high protein minestrone soup
  4. Add 1 28-oz can crushed tomatoes, 6 cups bone broth, and the 1 Parmesan rind (if using). Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 15 minutes.
    Healthy Minestrone Soup
  5. Stir in 1 15-oz can kidney beans (drained & rinsed) and 1 cup dry high-protein pasta and continue simmering until the pasta is al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes.
    Homemade high protein minestrone soup cooking in a pot with tomato broth and vegetables
  6. Add 4 cups baby spinach and cook until wilted, about 1 to 2 minutes.
    Fresh spinach added to high protein minestrone soup during the final cooking step
  7. Remove and discard the Parmesan rind. Stir in fresh lemon juice, season with salt to taste, and serve topped with fresh parsley, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, lemon zest and additional lemon juice if desired.
    High protein minestrone soup simmering in a Dutch oven with pasta, beans, and vegetables

Nutrition

Calories: 352kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 31gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.04gCholesterol: 49mgSodium: 340mgPotassium: 1240mgFiber: 11gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 5603IUVitamin C: 26mgCalcium: 110mgIron: 5mg

Notes

  • Gluten-free: Use chickpea or lentil-based pasta and check sausage labels.
  • Vegetarian option: Swap chicken sausage for plant-based sausage and use vegetable broth.
  • Storage: Keeps well in the fridge for up to 5 days. Freezes well for up to 3 months.