Description
Warm up with a hearty bowl of Italian Sausage White Bean Soup – full of flavor and comfort! Try it today.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed (sweet or hot, depending on preference)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, diced (about 2 cups)
- 3 carrots, peeled and diced (about 1 cup)
- 2 celery stalks, diced (about 1 cup)
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried)
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried)
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 3 cans (15 oz each) cannellini or great northern beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, with juices
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 Parmesan cheese rind (optional, but highly recommended)
- 3 cups fresh kale or spinach, roughly chopped
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
- Crusty bread, for serving
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the Sausage Heat a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Brown for 5-7 minutes until no longer pink and slightly crispy at the edges. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the cooked sausage to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving the flavorful fat in the pot.
- Step 2: Sauté the Vegetables Add olive oil to the pot with the sausage fat. Once hot, add the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have softened. Add the minced garlic, rosemary, thyme, and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for another 30-60 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Step 3: Build the Soup Base Return the cooked sausage to the pot and add the drained and rinsed beans, diced tomatoes with their juices, chicken broth, bay leaves, and Parmesan rind if using. Stir to combine all ingredients, gently scraping the bottom of the pot to release any browned bits (that’s pure flavor!). Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to maintain a gentle simmer.
- Step 4: Simmer and Develop Flavors Cover the pot partially with a lid and simmer for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the flavors to meld while the beans absorb the savory essence of the broth. If the soup becomes too thick, add a little more broth or water to reach your desired consistency.
- Step 5: Finish and Serve Remove the bay leaves and Parmesan rind. Stir in the chopped kale or spinach and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes until the greens are wilted but still vibrant. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Ladle the hot Italian Sausage White Bean Soup into bowls, top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and serve with crusty bread for dipping.
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 50mg