Tuscan White Bean Sausage Soup (Print view)

Hearty Italian soup with sausage, cannellini beans, kale, and potatoes simmered in aromatic chicken broth.

# Ingredient List:

→ Meats

01 - 1 lb 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 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes, drained

→ Beans

09 - 2 (15 oz) cans 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 into small pieces with a spoon, and cook until browned and cooked through, approximately 5-6 minutes. Transfer cooked sausage to a plate, retaining the rendered fat in the pot.
02 - Add diced 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 browned sausage to the pot. Add potatoes, cannellini beans, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, oregano, basil, thyme, and red pepper flakes. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
04 - Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Cover and cook for 20 minutes, or until potatoes are fork-tender.
05 - Stir in chopped kale and simmer uncovered for 5-7 minutes until kale is wilted and tender. Adjust seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
06 - Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately while hot.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It comes together in under an hour, yet tastes like you've been simmering it all day.
  • The cannellini beans create natural creaminess without any cream, making it feel indulgent and nourishing at once.
  • One pot means minimal cleanup, more time to actually enjoy eating and talking with whoever's at your table.
02 -
  • Don't rinse the beans until the moment you're ready to add them—rinsed beans sitting around lose their natural starch, which helps thicken the broth beautifully.
  • If you add the kale too early, it turns into a sad, mushy shadow of itself; wait until the very end for the best texture and color.
03 -
  • Save a Parmesan rind from your block of cheese and drop it into the broth while simmering—it dissolves slowly and adds an umami depth that makes people ask what your secret is.
  • If the soup thickens too much overnight, thin it with a splash of broth or water when reheating; beans naturally continue to absorb liquid as they sit.
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