Description
A hearty and comforting Tuscan White Bean Soup featuring Italian sausage, fresh vegetables, creamy broth, and spinach, perfect for a warming meal.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Meat
- 1 pound mild Italian sausage
Vegetables
- 1 large yellow onion, diced (about 1 1/2 cups)
- 3 ribs celery, diced
- 2 large carrots, sliced into rounds
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
Condiments & Seasonings
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Broth & Beans
- 4 cups (32 ounces) chicken broth
- 2 cans (15.5 ounces each) Great Northern beans, drained and rinsed
Greens & Dairy
- 2 cups (60 g) fresh baby spinach
- 1/2 cup (119 g) heavy whipping cream
Garnish
- Parsley, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the sausage: Add the Italian sausage to a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Cook until browned, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, about 10-15 minutes, ensuring it’s evenly browned and cooked through.
- Sauté vegetables: Reduce heat to medium. Add the diced onion, celery, and carrots. Cook until the onions soften and become translucent, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add garlic and seasonings: Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Then add tomato paste, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper, and black pepper, stirring well to combine.
- Add broth and beans: Pour in chicken broth and add drained beans. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Simmer: Let the soup simmer for 6-7 minutes, or until the carrots and celery are tender.
- Add dairy and greens: Stir in heavy cream and fresh spinach. Continue cooking until the spinach wilts, about 5 minutes.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls, garnish with chopped parsley, and serve warm.
Notes
- For a spicier version, increase the crushed red pepper or add a dash of hot sauce.
- Can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- For a dairy-free option, omit heavy cream and replace with coconut milk or omit entirely.
- Use a spoon to break up the sausage while cooking for a more uniform texture.
- Adjust seasoning to taste before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 350 ml)
- Calories: 340 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 860 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
