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Hearty Tuscan White Bean Soup with Sausage and Kale

Hearty Tuscan White Bean Soup - featured image
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A warm, comforting soup combining spicy Italian sausage, creamy white beans, and tender kale, perfect for cozy dinners and quick weeknight meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin preferred)
  • 12 ounces Italian sausage, casings removed (spicy or mild)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 medium carrots, diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 6 cups chicken broth (homemade or low-sodium store-bought)
  • 2 cans (15 ounces each) white beans (cannellini or Great Northern), drained and rinsed
  • 4 cups chopped kale (about 4 ounces), tough stems removed
  • 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped (or 1/2 teaspoon dried)
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Parmesan cheese, freshly grated (optional for serving)

Instructions

  1. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large pot over medium heat until shimmering but not smoking, about 2 minutes.
  2. Add 12 ounces of Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 6 to 8 minutes. Remove sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pot.
  3. Add chopped onion, diced carrots, and diced celery to the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic in the last minute to avoid burning.
  4. Stir in chopped fresh rosemary and crushed red pepper flakes if using. Cook for 30 seconds to release aromas.
  5. Pour in 6 cups chicken broth and bring to a gentle boil.
  6. Stir in drained and rinsed white beans. Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes to meld flavors and thicken the soup slightly.
  7. Add chopped kale and cooked sausage back into the pot. Simmer for an additional 10 minutes until kale is tender but still bright green.
  8. Season with salt and black pepper gradually, tasting as you go. Approximately 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons salt may be needed depending on broth and sausage.
  9. Turn off heat and let the soup rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

For thicker soup, mash some beans against the pot side during simmering. Add a splash of broth or water if too thick. Use fresh kale for best texture; frozen kale can be used but add earlier. For vegetarian version, omit sausage and use smoked paprika and mushrooms with vegetable broth. Check sausage for gluten if needed. Browning sausage well adds depth of flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: Tuscan soup, white bean soup, sausage soup, kale soup, hearty soup, Italian sausage, comfort food, easy soup recipe

Find it online: https://lenatable.com/hearty-tuscan-white-bean-soup-with-sausage-and-kale-easy-recipe/