Tuscan White Bean Sausage Soup (Printable)

Hearty Italian soup with sausage, white beans, kale, and potatoes in rich chicken broth with aromatic herbs.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 pound 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 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes, drained

→ Beans

09 - 2 cans (15 ounces each) 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 apart with a spoon, and cook until browned and cooked through, approximately 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer to a plate, retaining the rendered fat in the pot.
02 - Add onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Sauté for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Return the sausage to the pot. Add potatoes, cannellini beans, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, oregano, basil, thyme, and red pepper flakes. Stir thoroughly to combine.
04 - Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for 20 minutes until potatoes are tender.
05 - Stir in the kale and simmer uncovered for 5 to 7 minutes until wilted and tender. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
06 - Ladle soup into bowls and serve hot. Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The beans break down slightly during cooking, creating a naturally creamy texture without adding a drop of cream.
  • You can toss this together on a Sunday afternoon and enjoy it all week, as the flavors deepen beautifully with time.
02 -
  • Never rush the vegetable sautéing step, those extra few minutes of softening create a foundation of flavor that carries the entire soup.
  • Adding the kale at the very end prevents it from turning an unappetizing army green color and keeps some textural integrity.
03 -
  • Mash about a quarter of the beans with a fork before adding them to the pot, creating an instantly thicker, more luxurious broth.
  • If you have a Parmesan rind tucked away in your refrigerator or freezer, toss it into the simmering soup and fish it out before serving for an incredible depth of flavor.
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