Macho Minestrone

It has everything: sausage, beans, pasta, potatoes, and lots of vegetables.

Step: 1

Heat about 1/4 cup olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Cook and stir Italian sausage in hot oil until about half browned, about 5 minutes. Add carrots, celery, and onion; continue to cook and stir until the sausage is completely browned, about 5 minutes more. Drain and discard some of the fat if you find it too greasy.

Step: 2

Stir potatoes into the sausage mixture, season with salt and pepper, and cook until the potatoes begin to soften, about 7 minutes more.

Step: 3

Pour chicken broth and water into the pot. Bring the liquid to a boil while scraping the browned bits of food off of the bottom of the pan with a flat-edged spoon. Add tomatoes and again bring mixture to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer until the potatoes are completely soft, about 15 minutes.

Step: 4

Stir zucchini and kale into the liquid; simmer until zucchini is soft, about 10 minutes.

Step: 5

Stir cannellini beans and ditalini pasta into the liquid; cook until pasta is tender, about 5 minutes. Ladle into bowls and garnish with Parmesan cheese and splash of olive oil.

Per Serving: 325 calories; protein 12.8g; carbohydrates 35.3g; fat 14.9g; cholesterol 19.5mg; sodium 906.2mg.