Turkey Sausage & Kidney Bean Minestrone
A comforting, gut-friendly minestrone featuring lean turkey sausage, tender zucchini, and kidney beans. Rich in gentle fiber to support digestion without feeling heavy.
Prep
10 min
Cook
20 min
Total
30 min
Makes
4 servings
The feel-good payoff
Why this meal can feel especially good in perimenopause
Think practical wins: steadier energy, comfortable fullness and one less food decision. Your response is personal, so use the prompts below to notice what works for you.
Perimenopause symptoms and relief · Office on Women’s HealthDigestive comfort
A portion that works for you
Fiber and plants can support digestion, but more is not always better overnight. Start with a comfortable portion and build gradually.
Notice: comfort + portion
Comfortably satisfied
Fullness that has staying power
This meal is designed to feel substantial, so finishing it can feel like the meal is complete rather than the start of an evening of grazing.
Notice: fullness 2–3 hours later
More staying power
Make the next few hours easier
This meal is built to be more sustaining than a snack-sized stopgap, with enough substance to carry you into the next part of the day.
Notice: energy + fullness later
Clearer, simpler choices
Let the recipe do the thinking
Clear steps and a complete plate mean fewer decisions when focus is in short supply—and a more substantial meal once you are done.
Notice: focus + energy later
Setup
Get set up
Choose your servings, gather what you need, then cook along below.
Prep
10 min
Cook
20 min
Total
30 min
How many are you cooking for?
The ingredient amounts update automatically.
Equipment
Oven
Time saver
If you plan to eat this over several days, consider cooking the pasta separately and adding it to individual bowls. Pasta tends to absorb broth and become mushy as it sits in the fridge.
Do these three things first
- 1Set out all ingredients before cooking
- 2Measure the pantry ingredients before heating the pan
- 3Read through the steps once before you begin
Ingredients
Gather as you go
Ingredients
From Your Pantry
Cook along
Instructions
0 of 5 steps complete
Next: Heat a drizzle of olive oil in…
- 01
Heat a drizzle of olive oil in…
Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the turkey sausage, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, and cook for 5 to 7 minutes until fully browned.
Look for: fully browned
Tap card to mark done - 02
Season the meat generously with dried Italian…
Season the meat generously with dried Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
Tap card to mark done - 03
Stir in the diced zucchini
Stir in the diced zucchini, rinsed kidney beans, crushed tomatoes, and chicken broth. Bring the pot to a gentle, steady simmer.
Tap card to mark done - 04
Add the dry pasta directly to the…
Add the dry pasta directly to the simmering soup. Reduce the heat slightly to medium-low, cover, and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally so the pasta doesn't stick to the bottom.
Allow: 10 to 12 minutes
Tap card to mark done - 05
Remove from heat
Once the pasta and zucchini are tender, remove from heat. Taste the broth and adjust the salt, pepper, or herbs to your liking before ladling into bowls.
Tap card to mark done
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