I love to curl up with a delicious bowl of soup, especially through the fall and winter months. While I was browsing through my cookbook collection, I came across this particular recipe. It's a great discovery for anyone that has a busy life and needs a quick, warm and welcoming meal. I was intrigued when I found there was very little prep, and the addition of smoked sausage was an unusual ingredient. The smokiness of the sausage mingles with the other ingredients and herbs to create the perfect, savory flavor.

In my usual style, I have altered the recipe to give it my own unique flavor. I hope you give it a try and don’t be afraid to get creative and add your own spin.

Here’s the result. Enjoy!

Making good food with gratitude,

Becky

Smoked Sausage Soup

Yield:

• 4-5 quarts

Prep Time:

• 15 minutes

Cook Time:

• 30 minutes (or several hours in a crockpot)

Total Time:

• 45 minutes (or longer, depending on how long you let the soup simmer)

Ingredients:

Soup Base

• 6 cups water

• 32 ounces beef broth (low sodium)

• 2 envelopes dry onion soup mix

• 1 cup cabbage (chopped)

• 1 can (28 ounces) green beans (drained)

• 3 small carrots (chopped)

• 2 whole cloves garlic

• 1 tablespoon sugar

• 1 can (28 ounces) tomatoes (with juice)

• 1½ teaspoons dried oregano

• 1 teaspoon dried thyme

• ½ teaspoon dried basil (or more to taste)

Sausage and Potatoes

• 2½ cups frozen hash brown potatoes

• ½ pound fully cooked smoked sausage (halved and thinly sliced)

Directions:

To a large stock pot add the first 12 ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer. Cover and let simmer 20-25 minutes until the vegetables are tender.

Stir in hash brown potatoes and smoked sausage.

Bring back to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes or until heated through.

If desired, 1 cup of frozen corn maybe added.

Salt and pepper to taste.

If making this soup in your crockpot, place all ingredients in the cooker and set it to low to cook all day.

Serve with warm crusty bread or hot biscuits, and of course, lots of butter!!

Tips and Tricks:

You may use any kind of smoked sausage you like. Turkey smoked sausage is also great in this recipe.