Italian White Bean Soup with Kale and Sausage (Print Version)

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

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 pound spicy Italian sausage, casings removed

→ Vegetables

02 - 2 tablespoons 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 teaspoon dried thyme
12 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
13 - 1/2 teaspoon 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 Prepare:

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 tablespoon olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add sausage, breaking it apart with a spoon, and cook for 6-8 minutes until browned and cooked through. 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 a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes.
06 - Stir in chopped kale and continue simmering for 10-12 minutes until kale is tender but vibrant.
07 - Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve hot, garnished with Parmesan, olive oil drizzle, and crusty bread.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The roasted garlic adds this incredible sweet depth that makes people think you spent hours developing the flavors, but its our little five-minute shortcut.
  • This soup somehow manages to be both rustic comfort food and elegant enough for company, which is why I make it when Im trying to impress without looking like Im trying.
02 -
  • Never add the kale too early or itll turn army green and lose both its texture and nutritional value.
  • The soup actually tastes even better the next day, so dont hesitate to make it ahead for gatherings.
03 -
  • For an elevated version that will make dinner guests swoon, drizzle each serving with a small spoonful of homemade basil oil right before serving.
  • If youre using canned beans, wait until the last 15 minutes to add them, protecting their texture while still allowing them to absorb the soups flavors.
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