Italian White Bean Soup with Kale and Sausage (Printable)

Rustic soup with creamy white beans, spicy sausage, and tender kale in a rich, aromatic broth.

# 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 cannellini beans, 15 oz each, 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 Make It:

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 and mash into paste.
02 - In large Dutch oven, heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add sausage, breaking into pieces with spoon, cook 6-8 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove with slotted spoon and set aside.
03 - Add remaining olive oil to pot, then onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté 6 minutes until softened.
04 - Stir in mashed roasted garlic, thyme, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Cook 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 10-12 minutes until kale is tender but vibrant.
07 - Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as desired.
08 - Ladle into bowls and garnish with Parmesan cheese, olive oil drizzle, and crusty bread.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Restaurant Quality: The addition of roasted garlic and quality sausage creates a complex flavor profile that rivals any Italian bistro.
  • Nourishing and Filling: Packed with protein from the sausage and beans, plus vitamins from the kale and carrots.
  • One-Pot Ease: Aside from roasting the garlic, the entire meal comes together in one pot for minimal cleanup.
02 -
  • Parmesan Rind: For extra richness, add a Parmesan rind to the soup while simmering and remove it before serving to infuse the broth with deep umami flavor.
  • Storage: This soup freezes well for up to 2 months; simply thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
  • Greens: If using spinach instead of kale, add it during the last 2 minutes of cooking as it wilts much faster.
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