There’s nothing quite like the smell of onions, celery and garlic cooking away!  Add turkey sausage, spices, chicken broth and pasta and you’ve got an incredibly flavorful soup! While living in Asheville, North Carolina, my dear friend Ronda brought this soup to a Ladies Bible Study and we all requested the recipe! Thanks to Ronda many families can enjoy this lovely flavorful soup. One of our family’s favorites soups, this Italian Sausage Soup is one of my son Nathaniel s’ favorite meals.

We’ve enjoyed having Nate home for Christmas break and I’ve been making some of his favorites. Can’t wait for dinner!

3 celery stalks, coarsely chopped

1 yellow onion, coarsely chopped

2 garlic clove, minced

3 tbsp. olive oil

1 (14.5 oz) can of diced tomatoes and juice

1 c. tomato puree

1 to ¼ lb. Italian turkey (or pork if you prefer) sausage, crumbled and sautéed

6 c. low-sodium chicken broth

2 tsp. dried oregano

2 bay leaves

2 tsp. dried thyme

½ c. fresh parsley, chopped

3 tbsp. granulated sugar

1 c. farfelle pasta or other small pasta like orzo

Grated Parmesan cheese for garnish

Sauté celery, onions and garlic in olive oil until barely tender. Add the drained tomatoes, puree and sausage. Cook for 10 minutes over medium heat. Add the broth, herbs, and sugar. Simmer 30 minutes. Add the pasta and continue cooking until it is just done. Serve with Parmesan cheese.