Italian White Bean Soup with Kale (Print Version)

Hearty Italian soup with spicy sausage, white beans, kale, and roasted garlic.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 lb spicy Italian sausage, casings removed

→ Vegetables

02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 large yellow onion, diced
04 - 2 medium carrots, diced
05 - 2 celery stalks, diced
06 - 6 cloves garlic, peeled
07 - 1 bunch Tuscan kale, stems removed, leaves chopped

→ Beans

08 - 2 cans (15 oz each) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed

→ Liquids

09 - 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
10 - 1 cup water

→ Herbs & Seasonings

11 - 1 tsp dried thyme
12 - 1 tsp dried oregano
13 - 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
14 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Garnish

15 - Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
16 - Extra virgin olive oil
17 - Crusty bread for serving

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Place garlic cloves on foil, drizzle with olive oil, wrap, and roast for 20 minutes until soft and golden. Cool, then mash into paste.
02 - Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add sausage, breaking it up with spoon, and cook until browned and cooked through, 6-8 minutes. Remove with slotted spoon and set aside.
03 - Add remaining olive oil to pot, then add onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté until softened, approximately 6 minutes.
04 - Stir in mashed roasted garlic, thyme, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
05 - Add beans, cooked sausage, chicken broth, and water. Bring to boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes.
06 - Stir in chopped kale and continue simmering for 10-12 minutes until kale is tender but vibrant.
07 - Taste soup and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as desired.
08 - Ladle into bowls and garnish with Parmesan cheese, drizzle of olive oil, and crusty bread if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Roasting the garlic first transforms it into something sweet and mellow that melts into the broth instead of leaving sharp bites throughout
  • The soup tastes even better the next day, making it perfect for meal prep or feeding a crowd on short notice
02 -
  • Tossing a Parmesan rind into the simmering soup adds an incredible umami depth that people can never quite identify but always ask about
  • The soup will continue to thicken as it sits, so if you prefer it thinner, hold back about a cup of broth and add it back when reheating
03 -
  • Don't skip the roasted garlic step because it creates a mellow sweetness you can't achieve any other way
  • Wait to add the kale until the last 10 minutes so it stays bright and tender instead of becoming mushy
Go Back