Sausage Minestrone

1 lb. sweet Italian sausage links
3 cups chopped carrots, onion and celery
2 cans (14.5 oz. each) diced tomatoes with basil, garlic, and oregano
2 cans (14 1/2 oz. each) chicken broth
1 c small pasta
1 can (19 oz.) red kidney beans, rinsed and drained

Coat pot with cooking spray; heat over medium-high heat. Add sausage; cook, turning, until browned (4-6 minutes). Remove from heat and cut sausage into 1/4"-thick slices; return to pot over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until no longer pink (3-5 minutes); discard fat. Stir in vegetables and 1/4 t. pepper; cook until vegetables are just tender (3-4 minutes). Add tomatoes and broth, bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, simmer 15 minutes. Stir in pasta; cook until pasta is tender, about 15 minutes. Add beans; cook until heated through.

Found in Woman's World magazine and enjoyed by us last week.