Kale, Bean and Italian Sausage Soup

Ingredients

• 1 (20-ounce) package precooked, all-natural Italian chicken or turkey sausage, sliced diagonally
• 1 cup chopped red onion
• 1 stalk celery with leaves, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 5 cups low-sodium stock or broth (chicken, beef, or a mixture)
• 1 1/2 cups peeled, cubed potatoes (about 2 small potatoes)
• 1 cup peeled, chopped carrots
• 1 small fennel bulb, chopped (about 7 ounces)
• 1/2 teaspoon dried fennel seed
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 4 cups thinly sliced green cabbage
• 3 cups thinly sliced kale leaves, tough center stems removed
• 1 (15-ounce) can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomates in juice
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish
• 1/4 cup sliced fresh basil leaves (optional)