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Hearty Slow Cooker White Bean Kale Italian Sausage Soup

slow cooker white bean kale italian sausage soup - featured image
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A warm, thick, and rustic Tuscan soup made with Italian sausage, white beans, and kale, slow-cooked to perfection for a comforting and wholesome meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed and crumbled
  • 2 cans (15 oz each) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
  • 4 cups chopped kale, tough stems removed
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 medium carrots, sliced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 6 cups low sodium chicken broth
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil, thyme blend)
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Parmesan cheese, freshly grated (optional, for serving)

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add crumbled Italian sausage and cook for 5-7 minutes, breaking it apart until browned and cooked through. Transfer cooked sausage to the slow cooker.
  2. In the same skillet, add diced onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for about 5 minutes until softened and fragrant. Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds. Transfer all to the slow cooker.
  3. Add drained white beans, crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, chopped kale, dried Italian herbs, and red pepper flakes (if using) to the slow cooker. Stir gently to combine. Season with salt and pepper, reserving some to adjust later.
  4. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours until flavors meld and kale is tender but not mushy.
  5. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes as needed. Serve hot, topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

Notes

Brown the sausage first to add flavor depth. Do not chop kale too finely to maintain texture. Adjust seasoning after cooking as slow cooking can dull flavors. If soup is too thick, add extra broth or water to loosen. Leftovers taste better the next day. Can be made on stovetop or adapted for Instant Pot.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker soup, Italian sausage soup, white bean soup, kale soup, Tuscan soup, easy dinner, comfort food, healthy soup

Find it online: https://emmaoven.com/hearty-slow-cooker-white-bean-kale-italian-sausage-soup-recipe-easy-and-delicious/