Zucchini Sausage Soup made with fresh zucchini, tomatoes, sausage & a flavorful blend of spices. Fantastic sausage soup with zucchini topped with Parmesan cheese for when the garden is still overflowing!
Soup is one of my favorite things to eat! Even in the summertime I enjoy a flavorful bowl for dinner. I love the flavors in this easy recipe. I found this Zucchini Sausage Soup in an old Taste of Home Cookbook and made some changes to make it more simple. I served it with hot, buttery biscuits. Yum!
How long does it take for zucchini to cook in soup?
Not long! It does depend on how small you cut the zucchini up. I aim for pieces that are about 1/2″ to 1″ on diameter (bite sized!) and they take about 6-7 minutes to cook over medium heat. Be sure to not overcook the zucchini or it turns very mushy. If you like your zucchini more “crisp tender” then reduce the time by a minute or two and test the zucchini as it’s cooking to make sure you don’t overcook it.
Zucchini Sausage Soup Ingredients
- One 16-oz roll pork sausage: You can use whatever sausage you want! Turkey Sausage reduces the calories to just 141 per serving & the fat to just 7g per serving.
- 1/2 cup diced onion: You can use yellow onion, white onion or even sweet vidalia onion
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 2 stalks celery, sliced
- 2 cups diced zucchini: No need to peel the zucchini, just dice it up! If you’re using a GIGANTIC zucchini, feel free to scrape some of the seeds out. You can use yellow squash instead as well, but those seeds tend to be larger, so I’d definitely scrape some out.
- One 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
- 2 cups beef broth: If you end up using turkey or chicken sausage, swap this with chicken broth!
- Seasonings: 1/2 tsp ground sage & 1/2 tsp thyme (if you have fresh herbs that’d be incredible!)
- Parmesan cheese, for topping
How to Make Sausage Soup with Zucchini
Brown sausage & onions in a large pot over medium heat.I use a Chop Stir to crumble the sausage and it’s amazing! Drain the pot.
Add in remaining ingredients, except zucchini, and stir to combine. Cover and simmer for 45 minutes, until vegetables are soft.
Add in zucchini and cook an additional 5-7 minutes.
Serve topped with shredded Parmesan cheese.
What Other Vegetables Can I Add?
The possibilities for vegetables in this soup are endless! I love adding corn, fresh tomatoes instead of canned and some green beans, cut into thirds. You can also add peas, sugar snap peas, yellow squash, and/ or cauliflower.
In a Hurry? Make this Soup in about 30 Minutes Instead
If you’re in a hurry, you can save time by microwaving the carrots and celery in a small covered bowl with 1/4 cup water for 4 minutes. (While you cook the sausage & onions.)
Then add everything to the soup. You can increase the heat to medium low and cook for about 10 minutes. Add zucchini and cook an additional 8 minutes, then serve.
Zucchini Sausage Soup
Ingredients
- 16 oz pork sausage
- ½ cup onion diced
- 2 carrots sliced
- 2 stalks celery sliced
- 2 cups zucchini diced
- 14.5 oz diced tomatoes
- 2 cups beef broth
- ½ tsp ground sage
- ½ tsp thyme
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese for topping
Instructions
- Brown sausage & onions in a large pot over medium heat. Stir to crumble sausage- I use a Chop Stir and it’s amazing! Drain.
- Add in remaining ingredients, except zucchini, and stir to combine. Cover and simmer for 45 minutes, until vegetables are soft.*
- Add in zucchini and cook an additional 5-7 minutes.
- Serve topped with shredded Parmesan cheese.
Notes
Nutrition
What to Serve with a Summer Soup?
I love soup any time of the year, but I understand it’s not super appealing to eat hot soup when it’s 100° outside! But this is a great late summer/ early Fall soup to eat when temps are cooling and the garden is still producing. I like to serve it with No-Knead Artisan Bread or Easy Cheesy Garlic Bread, alongside a simple green salad. Or embrace the easy meal and serve it topped with croutons with some watermelon!
Can I Use a Different Kind of Sausage?
Absolutely! You can use whatever kind of sausage you’d like. I think this soup is fantastic with turkey sausage, Sage pork sausage, Spicy Italian Sausage and even chicken sausage!
Still have tons of zucchini? Here are more recipes we love ~
Zucchini Baked Goods recipes:
- Best Zucchini Bread Recipe Ever!
- ZUCCHINI SHEET CAKE WITH BROWNED BUTTER ICING
- LEMON ZUCCHINI BREAD
- ZUCCHINI BANANA BREAD
- Lemon Zucchini Muffins
- Low Fat Zucchini Cookies
- Zucchini Chocolate Chip Cookies
Savory Zucchini recipes:
- CHEESY ZUCCHINI FRITTERS
- ZUCCHINI CORN CHOWDER
- GRILLED LEMON CURRY ZUCCHINI
- EASY STUFFED ZUCCHINI
- ZUCCHINI RISOTTO
- OVEN FRIED ZUCCHINI
Zucchini Sausage Soup made with fresh zucchini, tomatoes, sausage & a flavorful blend of spices. Fantastic sausage soup with zucchini topped with Parmesan cheese for when the garden is still overflowing!
Rose says
I’ve made this soup 3 times in 2 weeks! We absolutely love it. The only changes I made, I used mild Italian Sausage instead of regular pork sausage. I even forgot to add the sage and thyme in 1 batch and didn’t even notice because of the Italian Sausage–Great soup recipe to use up some of that abundance of zucchini!
Jessica says
So glad you enjoyed it! It’s such a flavorful, versatile soup. YUM!
Laura says
Question, in the opening comments you mention that the zucchini cooks in 6 to 7 minutes and you warn not to overlook it however in the recipe body you direct adding all the vegetables at once for 45 minutes? I have a zucchini bounty and look forward to trying this hearty soup. Thanks.
Jessica says
You’re right! I updated the recipe. Thank you- and good luck with your zucchini!
Shelia Deakin says
Love zucchini anyway you cook it……we eat a lot of deer meat so I’ve used the burger – summer sausage & cubes!! We like beans so whatever we have stock I add. Wild rice is also good!! Thanks for sharing your post!!!!
Rachel says
I love this soup, turns out delicious every time! I changed it by using Turkey sausage instead, very mild
Nellie says
Great idea to use turkey sausage! So glad you enjoyed the soup!
Josney 54 says
This is simmering on my stove. Smells delish. I am making it for the hunters who will be here for opening day of deer hunting,tomorrow
Alison says
Hope you all enjoyed this!
cheryl madsen says
I used hot Itlian Saucage fried added onion, celery did not have carrots woild have been great, Red bell pepper and jalopeno. My this jalopeno was hot and fresh garlic. Tomatop paste from a tube and chpped fresh tomoto’s diced. I deciced to cook the carcess of the chicken for my soup when I came across this recipe had zucchini needing to be used took a gamble on swicthing bases. Turned out fantastic. Hat’s off!
Kaylie says
So glad you liked it! Thank you, Cheryl!
Rachel says
Could it be done in a crock pot? Would you add the zucchini in later still?
Jessica says
I’ve not made it in a crockpot, but I’m sure it work just fine. Yes, add the zucchini about 30-40 minutes before serving.