A few weeks ago when we did our Q and A post there were a few overwhelming requests via comments and email. Specifically we had tons of requests for Soups, low-budget meals, quick and easy meals, and low-cal options. This one gets 4 for 4! And actually, the other big request was slow-cooker meals, and you could totally put this in a crock pot so I’ll give myself 5 points for this one.
I have a soup that I love that’s made with Italian turkey sausage, fresh herbs, fresh tomatoes, etc. A few weeks ago when I was craving it, but out of ingredients, I decided it was a good time to give it a make-under to see if I could come up with something equally delish, but less expensive, quicker, and a little healthier. Instead of turkey sausage, I just used ground turkey and seasoned it. Ground turkey is super lean and you can buy it in bulk and freeze for lots of budget friendly meals. Using dried herbs and canned tomatoes make it so fast to put together. You can literally have it done in 20 minutes start to finish. The finished soup also freezes well.
Now the really funny thing about this soup. Kate noticed the title of it on the schedule we share and asked what I had put in it because she had made an Italian Turkey soup on that same night. As we both spouted out our methods, we laughed realizing we had come up with the exact same thing! We really do share a brain, lol.
Italian Turkey Soup
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/2 lb ground turkey
1 small onion (about 3/4 C) diced
4-5 garlic cloves, minced
1 T Dry Italian seasoning (or I think Kate used this)
Salt
Pepper
1 can (15oz) canned diced tomatoes
1 can (15oz) white beans (Cannelini, Great Northern, etc) drained and rinsed
2 14 oz cans chicken broth
1t dry oregano
1/4 t dry basil
1 T dried parsley (or about 1/4 C fresh)
4-6 C fresh spinach
fresh Parmesan cheese
Pour a couple swigs of extra virgin olive oil (1-2 T) into a large stock pot. Turn burner to med-high heat.
When oil is nice and hot, add diced onions, minced garlic, and ground turkey. Stir to combine and add the 1T dry Italian seasoning, along with about 1/2 t salt and several turns of black pepper. Cook until turkey is completely cooked through. When you’re browning ground beef or turkey for soup it’s important to cook it all the way through before adding the liquid or it will end up mushy.
(If you want to cook this via slow-cooker, place the turkey mixture in the crock pot now and continue. Although, you may want to hold off adding your beans until about 15 minutes before you’re ready to eat or they might turn to mush in there.)
Add in canned tomatoes (including all the juice), the drained beans, and the chicken broth. Add oregano and basil and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and simmer for at least 10 minutes, and up to 20.
While soup is simmering chop spinach. I chop it up really small so my kiddo doesn’t notice it’s something healthy. Add in spinach and parsley and stir until wilted. Also, additional salt and pepper to taste. Ladle into bowls and top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
For extra yumminess serve with breadsticks or a warm Panini hot off the grill.
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Yum! This was seriously so good–like really, really good minestrone. In addition to the other spices, I mixed the turkey with Italian sausage seasoning from http://www.penzeys.com and I used 2 cans of drained chickpeas (garbanzo beans), but yeah, pretty much the same recipe!!
MMMM, I was just trying to decide what kind of soup I was going to make today, and now that I’ve seen this, I think I’ll try it. Thanks!
perfect soup day…cold and raining. this is great stuff.
If I didn’t feel so sick, this would be a perfect meal for this rainy day!! Maybe tomorrow. . .
I love that I have everything I need in my pantry to make this, thank you!
Mmm, this sounds so yummy! This will be right up there with Kate’s Tortellini Soup (one of my all time favorites). I will definitely make this as soon as my kids get over the flu bug. Thanks!
Yum! We loved the chipotle chili, by the way (Nate calls it Chipotle Mole’ because of the chocolate). This soup looks like it will be a hit too.
Mmmmm fresh parmesan. . .
Ohh, that looks delicious. I’m trying it out this week.
I recently learned about your site from Leigh Anne at http://www.yourhomebasedmom.com. This was the first recipe my husband and I tried from your site, and we loved it. We’ll definitely be making it again soon and trying some of your other recipes. Thanks!
Hey Sara,
I liked this soup so much I put a post on my blog about it :) Loved the white chicken chili too. Haven’t tried the chipotle chili yet. But am intrigued. Thanks for sharing.
~Jenn
I made this a few nights ago and my husband loved it. Thanks for a cheaper version of a traditional soup!
So delish! I also add peas for extra greens. Yum!
This looks amazing! It is on my menu for the week…can’t wait to try it!
I know that this is probably written somewhere, but how many does this recipe serve? I’m looking to feed 7 people, so I’m just wondering if I should double the recipe.
How long and at what temp should I do in the crockpot? Thank you, love the site :)
This is pretty flexible in the crockpot–I’d probably do it for 8 hours on low or 4-6 on high.
I can’t believe this only has 16 comments; Maybe because it is from so long ago. This soup is wonderful!!! I have made this a couple of times and have really enjoyed it. Today I made it with kale instead of spinach. Superb!
We love this soup, it has a permanent spot in the fall/winter dinner rotations (or on cold rainy May days like today). Thanks for the great recipe!
This was soo good! Even my husband liked it and he doesnt really care for soup. Thank you so much for all your great recipes. They make my life easier!
We made this for a ladies stamping retreat in the mountains. It was wonderful. Everyone loved it. It is one of my fav’s. Oh yum.
this soup is really good. Very low fat and favorful. thanks so much
I noticed this recipe was in a bunch from freezer meals. At what point would you put this in the freezer?
[...] recipe is for Healthy Italian Turkey Soup. I found the original recipe at Our Best Bites and adapted from there to make the soup even healthier. Two days later, I am still thinking about [...]