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Hearty Italian Sausage and White Bean Soup

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A comforting and hearty soup combining spicy Italian sausage with creamy white beans in a rich broth, perfect for cozy nights and quick weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) Italian sausage (sweet or spicy)
  • 2 cans (15 oz / 425g each) cannellini or great northern white beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 medium carrots, diced
  • 2 stalks celery, diced
  • 4 cups (32 fl oz / 950ml) chicken broth, preferably low sodium
  • 1 can (14.5 oz / 411g) diced tomatoes with juice
  • 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped (or 1/2 teaspoon dried)
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped (or 1/2 teaspoon dried)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin preferred)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • A couple handfuls baby spinach or kale (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the vegetables: Dice 1 medium onion, 2 carrots, and 2 celery stalks finely. Mince 3 cloves of garlic and chop herbs if fresh. This takes about 10 minutes.
  2. Cook the sausage: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 pound Italian sausage, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook 6-8 minutes until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat if desired.
  3. Sauté the vegetables: Add diced onion, carrots, and celery to the pot with sausage. Cook 5-7 minutes until veggies soften and onions are translucent. Add minced garlic and cook 1 more minute until fragrant.
  4. Add broth and tomatoes: Pour in 4 cups chicken broth and 1 can diced tomatoes with juice. Stir to combine.
  5. Season and simmer: Add 1 teaspoon rosemary, 1 teaspoon thyme, salt, pepper, and optional 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes.
  6. Add the beans: Stir in drained and rinsed 2 cans white beans. Cook another 10 minutes to heat through and soften beans.
  7. Optional greens: Stir in a couple handfuls of baby spinach or chopped kale during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
  8. Taste and adjust: Adjust salt, pepper, or herbs as needed before serving.
  9. Serve and enjoy: Ladle soup into bowls. Optionally sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan or drizzle olive oil. Serve warm with crusty bread or a side salad.

Notes

Brown the sausage well for deeper flavor. Rinse canned beans to reduce salt and starch. Simmer gently to keep broth clear. Use fresh herbs if possible for best aroma. Soup tastes better the next day. Add broth or water when reheating if too thick. For vegetarian version, substitute sausage with smoked mushrooms or lentils.

Nutrition

Keywords: Italian sausage soup, white bean soup, hearty soup, comfort food, easy soup recipe, weeknight dinner, creamy bean soup

Find it online: https://emmaoven.com/hearty-italian-sausage-and-white-bean-soup-easy-homemade-recipe-for-comfort/