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A steaming bowl of hearty ground turkey soup with mixed vegetables.

Hearty Mediterranean Ground Turkey Soup

This hearty soup features lean ground turkey, nutritious cannellini beans, and a vibrant medley of Mediterranean flavors like Kalamata olives and sun-dried tomatoes, making it a satisfying and wholesome meal.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 350 kcal

Equipment

  • large Dutch oven or pot
  • spoon
  • ladle

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb lean ground turkey
  • 1 large onion
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 0.5 tsp dried thyme
  • 0.25 tsp red pepper flakes optional, for a spicy kick
  • 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 (15 ounce) can cannellini beans rinsed and drained
  • 0.5 cup small pasta e.g., ditalini, orzo
  • 0.5 cup Kalamata olives pitted and halved
  • 0.25 cup sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, drained and chopped
  • 2 cups fresh spinach roughly chopped
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Garnish (Optional)

  • Fresh parsley or cilantro chopped, for garnish
  • Feta cheese crumbled, for garnish

Instructions
 

Cooking Steps

  • Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat, then brown the ground turkey, breaking it up and draining excess fat before setting it aside.
  • Sauté the chopped onion until softened, then add minced garlic, oregano, thyme, and red pepper flakes and cook until fragrant.
  • Stir in the crushed tomatoes and broth, scraping the pot to loosen any browned bits, and bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
  • Return the cooked turkey to the pot, then add the rinsed cannellini beans, small pasta, Kalamata olives, and sun-dried tomatoes.
  • Reduce the heat to low, cover partially, and simmer for 15-20 minutes until the pasta is al dente and the flavors have melded.
  • Stir in the fresh spinach and cook for 2-3 minutes until just wilted.
  • Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
  • Ladle the hot soup into bowls and garnish with chopped fresh parsley or cilantro and crumbled feta cheese, if desired.

Notes

For extra flavor, consider adding a bay leaf to the soup while simmering and removing it before serving. If you prefer a thicker soup, you can mash some of the cannellini beans against the side of the pot after simmering to release their starch.