Italian White Bean Soup with Kale (Print view)

Hearty Italian soup with spicy sausage, creamy white beans, Tuscan kale, and roasted garlic in savory broth.

# Ingredient List:

→ 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, 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 and mash into paste.
02 - Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add sausage, breaking it up with spoon, and cook for 6 to 8 minutes until browned. Remove with slotted spoon and set aside.
03 - Add remaining olive oil to pot, then add onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 6 minutes until softened.
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 simmer for 10 to 12 minutes until tender but vibrant.
07 - Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve hot, garnished with Parmesan, olive oil drizzle, and crusty bread.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It's thick, warming, and feels fancier than the minimal effort required to make it.
  • The roasted garlic adds a subtle sweetness that balances the sausage's heat in the most satisfying way.
  • You can have it ready before most people finish their commute home.
02 -
  • If you skip roasting the garlic and just mince it raw, you'll taste a harsh bite instead of the creamy sweetness that makes this soup special.
  • Don't overcrowd your pot when browning the sausage; if you dump it all in at once it steams instead of browning, which completely changes the flavor profile.
03 -
  • Always rinse your canned beans because the starchy liquid they're packed in can make your soup cloudy and overly thick.
  • If your soup seems too thick after sitting for a while, thin it with warm broth rather than water, which dilutes the flavor you've worked to build.
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