Description
Italian Sausage and White Bean Soup is a hearty, flavorful dish featuring savory sausage, tender white beans, and vegetables in a rich broth, perfect for chilly days.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy, depending on preference)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 (15 oz) cans white beans (such as cannellini or great northern beans), drained and rinsed
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 cups fresh spinach or kale, chopped (optional)
- Fresh parsley or grated Parmesan cheese for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook until browned and fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pot, add diced onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5-7 minutes until vegetables soften and onion is translucent.
- Add minced garlic, oregano, basil, thyme, salt, and pepper. Cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Pour in diced tomatoes, chicken broth, and white beans. Stir and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to low, add cooked sausage back to the pot, and let the soup simmer for 20-25 minutes.
- If using spinach or kale, add it in the last 5 minutes of cooking and stir until wilted.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve in bowls and garnish with fresh parsley or grated Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- Storage: Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing: This soup freezes well. Let it cool completely, then store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: Reheat on the stove over low heat or in the microwave. Add extra broth if the soup thickens too much after freezing.
- If you prefer a thicker soup, mash some of the beans with a fork or potato masher and stir back into the soup.
- For a spicier version, use spicy sausage or add red pepper flakes or fresh chili peppers.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute sausage with plant-based sausage or increase the amount of beans and vegetables.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
