The Ultimate One-Pot Italian Sausage Vegetable Soup: Slow Cooker & Instant Pot Recipe
Embrace the warmth and comfort of a truly satisfying meal with this incredible Italian sausage vegetable soup. Designed for maximum flavor with minimal effort, this versatile recipe allows you to create a hearty, wholesome dinner using either a traditional slow cooker, an Instant Pot in slow cooker mode, or the Instant Pot’s pressure cooking function for a meal ready in about an hour. It’s the perfect solution for busy weeknights, chilly evenings, or whenever you crave a nourishing, deeply flavorful soup that practically makes itself.
This Italian sausage and vegetable soup has become a cherished staple in our household, renowned for its rich flavors and incredible ease. There’s something truly special about a simmering pot of soup that fills your home with tantalizing aromas, promising a delicious meal that’s ready precisely when you are. All it truly needs is a generous slice of crusty artisan bread for dipping – though, speaking from experience, my family would never pass up the chance to enjoy both!
Why This Italian Sausage Vegetable Soup is a Must-Try
My go-to recipes always share a few key characteristics: they use readily available, wholesome ingredients, demand minimal hands-on time, and deliver exceptional flavor. This Italian sausage vegetable soup embodies all these qualities and more. What truly sets it apart is its remarkable adaptability. Whether you’re navigating the bounty of a spring garden, the abundance of summer produce, or the hearty root vegetables of autumn and winter, this soup can be tailored to incorporate whatever seasonal vegetables you have on hand.
Imagine the fresh zest of early spring spinach, the robust texture of summer chard, or the earthy notes of autumn and winter cabbage, all working harmoniously in one pot. Fresh green beans from your garden or a convenient bag from the freezer? Both work beautifully. And if you happen to have leftover cooked rice or pasta, simply toss it in for extra body and sustenance, or omit it entirely for a lighter, equally delicious option. This recipe is your culinary canvas, allowing for endless customization to suit your pantry and your preferences.
Beyond its flexibility, this soup offers a wealth of benefits. It’s packed with nutrients from a variety of vegetables, making it a healthy choice for the whole family. The Italian sausage provides a rich, savory depth that perfectly complements the fresh produce, creating a balanced and deeply satisfying meal. As a one-pot wonder, it significantly cuts down on washing up, a definite win on busy evenings. And the sheer convenience of setting it to cook and returning to a warm, ready-made dinner is simply unbeatable, embodying the true essence of comfort food.
The Magic of the Instant Pot for Soups
Since acquiring my Instant Pot, it has become an indispensable tool in my kitchen, revolutionizing how I approach slow cooker recipes. Its multifunctionality means I can use it for virtually any recipe, whether I need a gentle, prolonged simmer or a rapid, high-pressure cook. One of the standout features is the built-in sauté function. This allows me to brown the Italian sausage and sauté the onions and garlic directly in the pot before adding the remaining ingredients and setting it to slow cook. This crucial step develops deeper flavors and prevents the need for an extra skillet, making the entire slow cooking process even more streamlined and convenient.
But the Instant Pot’s true genius lies in its ability to adapt to your schedule. On those unpredictable days when dinner prep slips your mind, or when you simply need a quick meal solution, the pressure cooker function comes to the rescue. What might take hours in a traditional slow cooker can be on the table in about an hour, from start to finish. This flexibility makes the Instant Pot an invaluable asset for modern home cooks, offering both leisurely slow-cooked goodness and lightning-fast pressure-cooked efficiency.
For those who use their Instant Pot frequently as a slow cooker, I highly recommend investing in a glass lid. It transforms your Instant Pot into a traditional slow cooker experience, allowing you to peek in on your bubbling soup without disrupting the cooking process, giving you that satisfying visual cue that dinner is well underway. It’s a small addition that makes a big difference in convenience and peace of mind.
Preparing Your Delicious Italian Sausage Vegetable Soup
Let’s dive into the simple steps to create this incredible soup. The beauty of this recipe is its straightforward approach, making it accessible for cooks of all skill levels. The initial step focuses on developing a robust flavor base with the Italian sausage and aromatics.
First, you’ll need to cook your Italian sausage. If you’re using an Instant Pot, simply utilize its convenient sauté function directly in the pot. This allows the sausage to brown beautifully, releasing its savory juices and creating fond (the browned bits at the bottom of the pot) which will later infuse the entire soup with incredible depth. If you’re using a traditional slow cooker, brown the sausage in a separate skillet on your stovetop before transferring it to the slow cooker bowl. This browning step is crucial for developing rich flavor in your soup. For raw sausage links, cook them thoroughly, then remove them to a cutting board and slice them into bite-sized pieces for easy eating. If you’re opting for fully cooked sausage links, you can skip the browning step entirely; just slice and add them with the other ingredients.
Once the sausage is prepared, whether browned in the Instant Pot or a skillet, proceed to sauté the chopped onions and minced garlic. This step softens the aromatics and further builds the flavor foundation for your soup. The fragrant combination of cooked sausage, onion, and garlic will instantly make your kitchen smell amazing, setting the stage for a truly comforting meal. After the aromatics are tender, add all the remaining ingredients (except for the optional cooked pasta/rice and garnishes) to your slow cooker or Instant Pot. Give everything a good stir to combine.
Now, it’s time to let your appliance do the heavy lifting! Set your slow cooker to cook on high for 4 hours, or on low for 8 hours. The longer, slower cooking time allows the flavors to meld beautifully, and the vegetables to become wonderfully tender. There’s nothing quite like coming home at the end of a long day to the aroma of a delicious, ready-to-eat dinner. If you prefer a faster approach, simply follow the pressure cooker instructions detailed in the printable recipe card below to have this heartwarming soup ready in about an hour.
Once your soup is cooked to perfection, ladle generous portions into bowls. For an extra touch of Italian authenticity and flavor, sprinkle with freshly shaved or grated Parmesan cheese and a dash of vibrant, fresh parsley. The salty, nutty cheese and the herbaceous parsley elevate the soup, adding brightness and a beautiful finish. This soup is a complete meal on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with sides like Quick Breadsticks if you need bread in a hurry, or a simple green salad for a balanced dinner.
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Slow Cooker or Instant Pot Italian Sausage Vegetable Soup
Ingredients
- 1 pound Italian sausage any kind: ground, links, or precooked
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1/2 cup dry red wine or more broth
- 1 28- ounce can diced tomatoes
- 1 med. onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 15- ounce can garbanzo beans or whatever type you have
- 2 cups chopped green cabbage chard, kale, or spinach
- 2 cups cut green beans fresh or frozen
- 2 carrots peeled and diced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup small pasta or rice cooked (optional)
- salt and pepper to taste
- grated parmesan for serving optional
- parsley for serving optional
Instructions
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If using uncooked sausage, cook it in a skillet until brown, drain and transfer to the bowl of a large slow cooker. (If using an Instant Pot, use the sauté button to brown the sausage as well as cook the onion for more flavor before switching to the slow cooker button.)
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Combine the broth and the wine (if using) and pour over the meat.
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Add the remaining ingredients except the last four. Cover and cook on high for 3-1/2 to 4 hours or low for about 8 hours. (See notes to use pressure cook option.)
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Add the cooked pasta or rice (turn cooker to high if you used the low setting) and cook for another 20 minutes until the pasta is heated through.
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Season to taste and serve with Parmesan and parsley, if desired.
Notes
Follow above directions, but instead of slow cooking, lock the lid, set to manual and cook high pressure 20 minutes (note on timing: it takes about 20 min. to come up to pressure). Let the steam release naturally (another 10-20 minutes).
*Nutrition was calculated with rice added to soup.*
Nutrition
Other Hearty Slow Cooker & Instant Pot Recipes You May Like
Easy Slow Cooker Cassoulet
Moist Slow Cooker Spiced Whole Chicken
Slow Cooker Pork-Vegetable Stew
This timeless recipe has been a family favorite for years and was originally published in 2010. It has been updated to include instructions for modern kitchen appliances and to enhance the clarity and depth of its instructions.
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