Autumn Three Bean Apple Chicken Sausage Soup

It's been quite some time since I posted any new recipes, but now that life is starting to settle down a bit for me, I really want to start keeping track of my recipes and blogging again. Autumn is almost here, and for those of you who didn't know, it's my FAVORITE time of the year! I love all the flavors of fall, the hearty soups, and the delicious baked goods!

Anyway, this soup was absolutely delicious and I will definitely be making it again!

Autumn Three Bean Apple Chicken Sausage Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 medium sweet or yellow onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 small carrots, diced
• 1 red or yellow bell pepper, diced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 4 links chicken apple sausage
• 1/2 cup baby lima beans
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
• 1 teaspoon italian seasoning
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 can (15 ounces) Great Northern beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15 ounces) pinto beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley
• Shredded Cheddar (optional)

Directions:

Heat the olive oil and butter in a dutch oven over medium-low heat. Saute the onion and garlic until tender. Add carrots, bell pepper, celery, and sausage; cook until sausage is slightly browned. Add lima beans, salt, pepper, italian seasoning, and chicken broth. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat; reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes. Add drained and rinsed beans; simmer uncovered for 15 more minutes. If desired, top with shredded cheddar.