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Hearty Italian Sausage and White Bean Soup with Kale

Italian sausage and white bean soup - featured image
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A comforting and nourishing soup featuring Italian sausage, white beans, and kale, ready in under an hour with simple pantry staples. Perfect for cozy dinners and busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound Italian sausage (sweet or spicy)
  • 2 cans (15 oz each) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
  • 4 cups fresh kale, chopped (remove tough stems)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 4 cups chicken broth or stock (homemade or low sodium)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Parmesan rind or cheese (optional)
  • Fresh parsley, a small handful chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon. Brown sausage for 8–10 minutes until cooked through with no pink bits left. Optionally remove and drain excess fat.
  2. Add diced onion and minced garlic to the pot. Sauté for 3–5 minutes until onion softens and becomes translucent, stirring frequently to avoid burning garlic.
  3. Stir in dried thyme and crushed red pepper flakes. Let bloom for a minute to release aroma.
  4. Add drained white beans and chicken broth. Stir well to combine. If using, add Parmesan rind now for extra depth.
  5. Bring soup to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Simmer uncovered for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  6. Stir in chopped kale and cook for 5 minutes until kale wilts and softens. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Continue simmering until kale is tender but still bright green.
  7. Remove Parmesan rind if used. Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley. Optionally sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese on top before serving.

Notes

Brown the sausage well to develop deep flavor. Use good quality chicken broth for best taste. Rinse beans to remove excess starch and sodium. Add kale near the end to keep it tender and vibrant. Adjust seasoning generously with salt and pepper. If soup is too thick, add more broth or water. Optional Parmesan rind adds umami depth.

Nutrition

Keywords: Italian sausage soup, white bean soup, kale soup, hearty soup, easy dinner, comforting soup, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://lucydishes.com/hearty-italian-sausage-and-white-bean-soup-recipe-easy-homemade-kale-soup/