Italian Sausage Soup that You'll Never Guess is Low Calorie

Italian Sausage Soup that You’ll Never Guess is Low Calorie

I recently did a talk at MOPS at my church. Two people came up to me separately and said, “Your Tortellini Italian Soup is now one of our family favorites.” We love that too, but I wanted to share with you my lower calorie version I have had in my files forever from Cooking Light. It is packed with flavor and tastes perfect on these cold winter days. It is also fast to make, which is always a bonus as a mom. It also only dirties one pan, and the kids can help.

Italian Sausage Soup – Low Calorie (serves 4 with a 1 1/3 cup serving size)

8 oz hot, regular or sweet turkey Italian Sausage (we like to go hot to add a kick – I also don’t mind making it real sausage, but it does up the calories, fat, etc.)

2 cups fat free, less sodium chicken broth

1 (14.5oz) can diced tomatoes with basil, garlic and oregano

1/2 cup uncooked small shell pasta

2 cups bagged baby spinach leaves

2 Tbsp grated fresh Parmesan

2 Tbsp chopped basil

1. Heat a large saucepan over medium heat. Remove casings from sausage. Add sausage to pan. Cook 5 minutes or until browned, stirring to crumble. Drain and return to pan.

2. Add broth, tomatoes and pasta to pan; bring to a boil over high heat. Cover, reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes or until pasta is done. Remove from heat. Add spinach. Stir until wilted. Sprinkle each serving with 1 1/2 tsp cheese and 1 1/2 tsp basil.

Calories 216 Fat 7.1 g Protein 17.4 g Carb 20 g Fiber 1.6 g Chol 52 mg Sodium 1020mg

This is an easy, dump soup so it is easy for kids to help. Monitor carefully since they are working around a stove.

Comments

Robin @ Fluster Buster says:

January 14, 2013 at 2:17 am

My kids love to help me cook too. I am a new follower! I found your link on Flamingo Toes. I would love for you to link up to my weekly linky party Fluster Muster on Wednesday’s @ http://www.FlusterBuster.com.

Ellen says:

January 19, 2013 at 10:19 pm

That really looks delicious. So great you involved your daughter in the process too!

Mackenzie says:

January 26, 2013 at 4:18 am

Seriously can’t wait to try this! Sounds awesome!
You are a Featured Favorite this week on Saturday Show & Tell on Cheerios and Lattes! Thanks so much for sharing with us last week! We can’t wait to see what you’ve been up to this week!
Have a great weekend!
Mackenzie

- Jodi D. says:
  
  January 26, 2013 at 7:20 am
  
  Thank you so much, Mackenzie. I have posted to my Facebook page!