Sausage and Spinach Soup

By charlotteh371

Fresh herbs are added after the soup cooks so they'll retain their bright color and flavor. You can substitute 1 teaspoon dried herbs for each tablespoon fresh, but add them with the tomatoes. Serve with a toasted baguette.

Ingredients

• 10 ounce sweet turkey Italian sausage
• Cooking spray
• 1 cup prechopped onion
• 2 teaspoons bottled minced garlic
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 (15-ounce) can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 (14.5-ounce) can organic stewed tomatoes, undrained (such as Muir Glen)
• 1 (14-ounce) can fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
• 2 cups baby spinach
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh oregano
• 2 tablespoons grated fresh Romano cheese

Preparation

Step 1

Remove casings from sausage. Cook sausage in a large saucepan coated with cooking spray over high heat until browned, stirring to crumble. Add onion and 2 teaspoons garlic to pan; cook for 2 minutes. Stir in 1/2 cup water, beans, tomatoes, and broth. Cover and bring to a boil. Uncover and cook for 3 minutes or until slightly thick. Remove from heat, and stir in spinach, basil, and oregano. Ladle 1 1/2 cups soup into each of 4 bowls, and sprinkle each serving with 1 1/2 teaspoons cheese.