Hearty Sausage and White Bean Soup: A Comforting Recipe for Any Season

There’s something undeniably comforting about a warm bowl of soup, especially when it’s packed with flavor and hearty ingredients. This sausage and white bean soup recipe is the perfect example. It’s easy to make, incredibly satisfying, and can be adapted to suit your taste preferences. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner or a cozy weekend lunch, this soup is sure to become a new favorite.

## Why You’ll Love This Sausage and White Bean Soup

* **Flavorful:** The combination of Italian sausage, aromatic vegetables, and creamy white beans creates a complex and delicious flavor profile.
* **Hearty and Filling:** This soup is packed with protein and fiber, making it a satisfying and substantial meal.
* **Easy to Make:** With simple ingredients and straightforward instructions, this recipe is perfect for beginner cooks.
* **Versatile:** You can easily customize this soup by adding different vegetables, herbs, or spices to suit your preferences.
* **Budget-Friendly:** Using canned beans and affordable ingredients makes this a great option for a cost-effective meal.
* **Freezes Well:** Make a big batch and freeze leftovers for a quick and easy meal on busy days.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

Before you start cooking, gather the following ingredients:

* **Italian Sausage:** 1 pound, removed from casings (sweet, hot, or mild, your choice)
* **Olive Oil:** 2 tablespoons
* **Onion:** 1 large, chopped
* **Carrots:** 2 medium, chopped
* **Celery:** 2 stalks, chopped
* **Garlic:** 4 cloves, minced
* **Dried Thyme:** 1 teaspoon
* **Dried Rosemary:** 1/2 teaspoon
* **Red Pepper Flakes:** 1/4 teaspoon (optional, for a little heat)
* **Chicken Broth:** 6 cups (or vegetable broth)
* **Canned White Beans:** 2 (15-ounce) cans, rinsed and drained (cannellini, great northern, or navy beans work well)
* **Diced Tomatoes:** 1 (14.5-ounce) can, undrained
* **Fresh Parsley:** 1/4 cup, chopped (for garnish)
* **Salt and Pepper:** To taste
* **Optional Add-ins:**
* Kale or Spinach: 2 cups, chopped
* Lemon Juice: 1 tablespoon (for brightness)
* Parmesan Cheese Rind: 1 (adds depth of flavor while simmering, remove before serving)

## Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these easy steps to make your own delicious sausage and white bean soup:

**Step 1: Brown the Sausage**

* Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
* Add the Italian sausage and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes.
* Remove the sausage from the pot with a slotted spoon and set aside.

**Step 2: Sauté the Vegetables**

* Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery to the pot and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
* Stir in the minced garlic, dried thyme, dried rosemary, and red pepper flakes (if using) and cook for another minute until fragrant.

**Step 3: Add the Remaining Ingredients**

* Pour in the chicken broth and scrape the bottom of the pot to loosen any browned bits. This will add extra flavor to the soup.
* Add the rinsed and drained white beans and the diced tomatoes (undrained). If you’re using a parmesan cheese rind, add it now.
* Return the browned sausage to the pot.

**Step 4: Simmer the Soup**

* Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for at least 30 minutes, or up to an hour, to allow the flavors to meld together. The longer it simmers, the more flavorful it will become.

**Step 5: Adjust Seasoning and Add Optional Ingredients**

* Remove the parmesan cheese rind (if used). Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste. Remember that sausage and broth can be salty, so taste before adding too much salt.
* If you’re adding kale or spinach, stir it in during the last 5 minutes of cooking until wilted.
* Stir in the lemon juice (if using) for a touch of brightness.

**Step 6: Serve and Enjoy**

* Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh chopped parsley.
* Serve with crusty bread for dipping.

## Tips and Variations

* **Sausage:** Feel free to experiment with different types of sausage. Chorizo, andouille, or even turkey sausage would all be delicious in this soup.
* **Beans:** While cannellini beans are a classic choice, you can use other white beans like great northern or navy beans. You can also use dried beans, but you’ll need to soak them overnight and cook them before adding them to the soup.
* **Vegetables:** Add other vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, or potatoes to the soup. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly.
* **Spices:** Experiment with different spices like smoked paprika, cumin, or oregano.
* **Herbs:** Fresh herbs like basil or oregano would also be a great addition.
* **Make it Creamy:** For a creamier soup, you can blend a portion of the soup with an immersion blender before serving. Alternatively, stir in a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt.
* **Spicy:** For extra heat, add more red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
* **Vegetarian:** For a vegetarian version, omit the sausage and use vegetable broth. You can add a can of lentils for extra protein.
* **Slow Cooker:** This soup can easily be made in a slow cooker. Brown the sausage and sauté the vegetables as instructed, then transfer everything to the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.

## Serving Suggestions

This sausage and white bean soup is delicious on its own, but here are a few serving suggestions to make it even better:

* **Crusty Bread:** Serve with a side of crusty bread for dipping into the soup.
* **Garlic Bread:** Garlic bread is another great option for dipping.
* **Salad:** A simple green salad would be a refreshing accompaniment to the soup.
* **Parmesan Cheese:** Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top of the soup for extra flavor.
* **Pesto:** A dollop of pesto adds a burst of fresh flavor.

## Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions

* **Make-Ahead:** This soup can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors will actually meld together even more over time, making it even more delicious.
* **Storage:** Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
* **Freezing:** This soup freezes well. Allow the soup to cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

## Reheating Instructions

* **Stovetop:** Reheat the soup in a pot over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
* **Microwave:** Reheat the soup in a microwave-safe bowl in the microwave, stirring occasionally, until heated through.

## Nutritional Information (Approximate)

*Please note that the nutritional information is an estimate and may vary based on the specific ingredients used.*

* Calories: Approximately 350-450 per serving
* Protein: 25-35 grams
* Fat: 20-30 grams
* Carbohydrates: 20-30 grams
* Fiber: 5-10 grams

## Sausage and White Bean Soup Recipe Card

**Prep Time:** 15 minutes
**Cook Time:** 30-60 minutes
**Yields:** 6-8 servings

**Ingredients:**

* 1 pound Italian sausage, removed from casings
* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* 1 large onion, chopped
* 2 medium carrots, chopped
* 2 stalks celery, chopped
* 4 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 teaspoon dried thyme
* 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
* 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
* 6 cups chicken broth
* 2 (15-ounce) cans white beans, rinsed and drained
* 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
* 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
* Salt and pepper to taste
* Optional: 2 cups chopped kale or spinach, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, parmesan cheese rind

**Instructions:**

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
2. Add sausage and cook, breaking it up, until browned. Remove and set aside.
3. Add onion, carrots, and celery to the pot and cook until softened.
4. Stir in garlic, thyme, rosemary, and red pepper flakes (if using) and cook for another minute.
5. Pour in chicken broth and scrape the bottom of the pot.
6. Add white beans, diced tomatoes, and parmesan cheese rind (if using). Return sausage to the pot.
7. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 30-60 minutes.
8. Remove parmesan cheese rind (if used). Season with salt and pepper.
9. If adding kale or spinach, stir in during the last 5 minutes.
10. Stir in lemon juice (if using).
11. Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley. Serve with crusty bread.

Enjoy this flavorful and comforting Sausage and White Bean Soup! It’s a perfect meal for any day of the week and a great way to warm up on a chilly evening. Bon appétit!