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Hearty White Bean and Kale Soup with Italian Sausage

hearty white bean and kale soup - featured image
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A quick and easy soup combining tender white beans, fresh kale, and savory Italian sausage for a comforting and hearty meal perfect for chilly evenings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
  • 2 cans (15 oz each) white beans (cannellini or great northern), drained and rinsed
  • 4 cups fresh kale, stems removed and roughly chopped
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 medium carrots, diced
  • 2 stalks celery, diced
  • 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add Italian sausage, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook 6-8 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving rendered fat in the pot.
  2. Add diced onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Cook about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and fragrant. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds, careful not to burn.
  3. Stir in tomato paste, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes if using. Cook 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly to develop flavors.
  4. Add rinsed white beans and chicken broth to the pot. Return cooked sausage to the pot. Stir well and bring to a gentle boil.
  5. Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes to meld flavors and slightly thicken broth.
  6. Stir in chopped kale and cook an additional 5 minutes until kale is tender but vibrant green.
  7. Season with salt and pepper gradually, tasting as you go.
  8. Serve warm, optionally with crusty bread or alongside comfort dishes.

Notes

Do not rush browning the sausage to develop rich flavor. Add garlic near the end of sautéing vegetables to avoid bitterness. Remove kale stems for better texture and add kale near the end to preserve color and bite. Adjust salt gradually due to canned beans and broth saltiness. If soup is too thick, add broth or water. For creamier texture, mash some beans against the pot side.

Nutrition

Keywords: white bean soup, kale soup, Italian sausage soup, hearty soup, easy dinner, weeknight meal, comfort food, healthy soup

Find it online: https://sofiaspice.com/hearty-white-bean-and-kale-soup-recipe-easy-italian-sausage-meal/