Italian White Bean Soup with Kale and Sausage (Printable)

Hearty soup with spicy sausage, creamy white beans, kale, and roasted garlic.

# What You'll Need:

→ 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 (15 oz each) 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

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Place garlic cloves on foil, drizzle with olive oil, wrap tightly, and roast for 20 minutes until soft and golden. Cool slightly, then mash into a paste.
02 - Heat 1 tbsp 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. Add onion, carrots, and celery, sautéing 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 soup and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
08 - Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with Parmesan cheese, extra virgin olive oil, and serve with crusty bread.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The roasted garlic paste adds a buttery depth that makes people think you spent all day hovering over the stove.
  • It is a complete meal in one bowl that actually tastes better the next day after the flavors have introduced themselves properly.
02 -
  • Dont skip the step of mashing the roasted garlic into a paste or you will miss that seamless distribution of flavor.
  • If the soup looks too thick a splash of water or extra broth at the end will bring it back to your preferred consistency.
03 -
  • Save your old Parmesan rinds in the freezer and drop one into the simmering liquid for an incredible umami boost.
  • Rinse your canned beans thoroughly to remove any metallic taste and excess sodium from the canning liquid.
Return