Fergie's Chicken and Butternut Squash Minestrone

I love Minestrone Soup... I consider it to be such a whole meal... veggies, beans, and meat!  I had a super crazy day today so I made this in the morning to have for dinner with some left over focaccia bread!  This is a very healthy version of the traditional soup! 

1/2 Pound Chicken or Turkey Italian Sausage 

2 Tablespoons Olive Oil (or whatever cooking oil you have on hand)

1 Onion, Chopped 

3-4 Celery Stalks, Diced 

1 Small Butternut Squash 

1 Large Tomato, Diced 

2 Zucchini, Diced 

2 Teaspoon Kosher or Sea Salt 

1 Teaspoon Italian Seasoning

1 Teaspoon Marjoram (optional)

1 Teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper'

1 Teaspoon Ground Pepper

2 Chicken Breast, cut into small cubes

6 Cups Chicken Stock 

1 Can Cannellini Beans, drained

1/2 Box of Lasagna Noodles

This is so beautiful to me! 

Chop up your onions, celery and butternut squash first.  Buy a tiny squash... this one yielded about 2 cups worth. 

Heat the oil and add the sausage... begin to brown...

Add the onions, butternut squash and the celery, cook for about 3-4 minutes... 

Add the tomato...

Add the salt and spices... if you are clean eating just omit the salt... 

Add the zucchini... 

Add the stock and put the heat on high to begin boiling... 

Add the chicken... 

Add the drained beans... 

Bring to a boil before adding the noodles... 

Whenever I make Lasagna ... I always end up with a half a box... I broke these noodles apart and used them in this soup... but you can use any pasta you like... about 1-2 cups worth. 

My family likes the pieces a bit bigger... 

Add the pepper and simmer on high for about 5 minutes... 

DONE!!!