heirloom minestrone soup

Ingredients

• 1 pound sweet Italian sausage
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 cup sliced carrots
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 2 - zucchini, sliced
• 1 can Italian tomatoes, chopped and undrained, 14.5 oz
• 2 cans beef broth, 14.5 oz each; plus additional broth handy if needed
• 2 cups cabbage, shredded
• - salt and pepper
• 2 cans great northern beans undrained
• 2 cups ditalini cooked pasta