Creamy Tuscan White Bean Soup (Print Version)

Hearty Tuscan soup with white beans, sausage, spinach, and carrots in a creamy broth. Ready in 30 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 12 oz Italian sausage, casings removed, crumbled

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
03 - 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
04 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
05 - 3.5 oz fresh baby spinach

→ Legumes

06 - 2 cans cannellini beans (14 oz each), drained and rinsed

→ Broth & Dairy

07 - 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
08 - 1 cup heavy cream
09 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter

→ Herbs & Seasonings

10 - 1 tsp dried Italian herb mix
11 - ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
12 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ For Serving

13 - Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
14 - Crusty bread

# How to Prepare:

01 - In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt butter over medium heat. Add crumbled sausage and cook, breaking up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, approximately 5 minutes.
02 - Add onion and carrots to the pot. Sauté for 4 minutes until vegetables are softened. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Stir in the beans, Italian herb mix, and red pepper flakes. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer.
04 - Reduce heat to low and stir in heavy cream. Simmer gently for 5 to 7 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
05 - Add spinach and cook until wilted, approximately 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
06 - Ladle soup into bowls, top with freshly grated Parmesan, and serve with crusty bread if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • This soup reaches that perfect balance between hearty and refined, rich enough to be a complete meal but not so heavy it weighs you down.
  • The magic happens in just 30 minutes, which means you can spontaneously make it when friends drop by unexpectedly and still seem like you planned it all along.
02 -
  • I once rushed and added the cream while the soup was boiling vigorously, causing it to separate slightly, so always reduce to a gentle simmer before adding dairy.
  • The soup thickens considerably overnight in the refrigerator, so when reheating leftovers, add a splash of broth or water to reach your desired consistency.
03 -
  • Save the Parmesan rinds in your freezer and toss one into the soup while it simmers for an incredible depth of flavor that will have everyone wondering what your secret ingredient is.
  • A splash of white wine added after sautéing the vegetables but before the broth goes in creates a wonderful complexity that elevates this soup from home cooking to restaurant quality.
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