Tuscan White Bean Sausage (Print Version)

Rustic Italian soup with savory sausage, creamy cannellini beans, kale, and potatoes in rich chicken broth.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 large yellow onion, diced
03 - 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
04 - 2 celery stalks, diced
05 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 2 cups chopped kale, stems removed
07 - 2 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, diced
08 - 1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes, drained

→ Beans

09 - 2 cans (15 ounces each) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed

→ Broth & Liquids

10 - 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth

→ Herbs & Seasonings

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

→ Finish

16 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
17 - Freshly grated Parmesan cheese for serving

# How-To Steps:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add sausage, breaking it apart with a spoon, and cook until browned and cooked through, approximately 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer to a plate, reserving fat in pot.
02 - Add onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Sauté for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables soften. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Return sausage to pot. Add potatoes, cannellini beans, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, oregano, basil, thyme, and red pepper flakes. Stir thoroughly to combine.
04 - Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to maintain a simmer. Cover and cook for 20 minutes until potatoes are tender.
05 - Stir in kale and simmer uncovered for 5 to 7 minutes until kale wilts and becomes tender. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
06 - Ladle soup into bowls and serve hot, garnished with freshly grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The way the cannellini beans break down slightly to create a naturally creamy broth without a drop of actual cream is nothing short of magical.
  • Its the ultimate one-pot wonder that somehow tastes even better the next day, making those busy weeknight dinners feel like youve got a secret weapon in your refrigerator.
02 -
  • Never rush the sautéing of your aromatics the flavor foundation builds during those first 10 minutes when the vegetables slowly soften and begin to sweeten.
  • Adding a Parmesan rind during simmering completely transformed this soup, infusing it with a subtle umami richness that I cant imagine the soup without now.
03 -
  • Mash about a quarter cup of the cannellini beans against the side of the pot during cooking to release their starch, creating an even creamier broth without adding dairy.
  • A splash of white wine or squeeze of lemon juice just before serving awakens all the flavors and cuts through the richness with welcome brightness.
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