Sausage, Kale, and White Bean Soup: A Creamy, Hearty Winter Favorite

Why You’ll Love This Sausage, Kale, and White Bean Soup

This creamy sausage soup is a comforting blend of Italian sausage, tender kale, and hearty white beans, making it the perfect hearty winter soup. It’s an Italian sausage recipe that’s both satisfying and easy to prepare, ideal for cozy nights in.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil (15 ml)

• 1/2 yellow onion, thinly sliced (75 g)

• 3–4 large cloves of garlic, thinly sliced

• 1 pound ground Italian sausage (450 g), mild or hot

• 1/2 to 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (1–2 g), optional

• 1–2 tablespoons flour (8–16 g), optional for thickening

• 5 cups chicken broth (1.2 liters)

• 1 can (15 ounces / 425 g) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed

• 4 medium potatoes, diced (about 600 g)

• 2 stalks kale, ribs removed and chopped (60 g)

• 3/4 cup heavy cream (180 ml), or substitute with half and half

• 1/2 teaspoon salt (2.5 g), more or less to taste

• Freshly ground black pepper and lemon juice to taste

Instructions

1. Sauté Aromatics: In a large soup pot, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the sliced onion and garlic, sautéing for 10 minutes until soft and fragrant.

2. Cook Sausage: Add the ground Italian sausage to the pot, cooking until browned and breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain any excess grease.

3. Add Seasonings: Stir in smoked paprika and flour (if using) and sauté for 1 minute to deepen the flavor and thicken the base.

4. Simmer Soup: Gradually pour in the chicken broth while stirring, then add the diced potatoes. Bring the soup to a gentle simmer over low heat and cook for 10–15 minutes until the potatoes are fork-tender.

5. Add Kale and Beans: Stir in the chopped kale and cannellini beans. Continue simmering for another 5–10 minutes until the kale is wilted and the flavors meld.

6. Finish Soup: Add the heavy cream, salt, black pepper, and a squeeze of lemon juice to taste. Serve hot, with crusty bread if desired.

Tips for the Perfect Soup

• Sausage Selection: Choose between mild or hot Italian sausage based on your heat preference.

• Creaminess: For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half and half or a plant-based alternative.

• Thickening: If you prefer a thicker soup, the optional flour helps achieve that creamy texture.

Serving Suggestions

• Bread Pairing: Serve with crusty bread or garlic toast to soak up the delicious broth.

• Salad Side: A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette complements the richness of the soup.

Storage and Reheating

• Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

• Freezing: This soup freezes well. Allow it to cool completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers. Freeze for up to 3 months.

• Reheating: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator if frozen. Reheat on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of sausage?

Yes, chicken or turkey sausage can be used as a leaner alternative to traditional Italian sausage.

Is there a substitute for cannellini beans?

Great Northern or navy beans are good substitutes if cannellini beans are unavailable.

Can I make this soup dairy-free?

Absolutely. Use a dairy-free cream alternative or omit the cream entirely for a lighter, broth-based soup.

This creamy sausage soup is a delightful addition to your collection of hearty winter soups. Its rich flavors and comforting ingredients make it a go-to Italian sausage recipe for chilly evenings.

Sausage, Kale, and White Bean Soup: A Creamy, Hearty Winter Favorite

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• Author: Olivia Hartwellen
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x

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Description

Sausage, Kale, and White Bean Soup is a creamy, comforting winter soup loaded with savory Italian sausage, tender kale, hearty white beans, and potatoes. With rich flavor and a touch of cream, it’s the perfect bowl to warm you up on cold nights, and it’s easy enough for a weeknight meal.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1/2 yellow onion, thinly sliced

• 3–4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

• 1 pound ground Italian sausage (mild or hot)

• 1/2 to 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)

• 1–2 tablespoons flour (optional, for thickening)

• 5 cups chicken broth

• 1 can (15 oz) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed

• 4 medium potatoes, diced

• 2 stalks kale, ribs removed and chopped

• 3/4 cup heavy cream (or half and half)

• 1/2 teaspoon salt (more or less to taste)

• Freshly ground black pepper and lemon juice, to taste

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Instructions

• Sauté Aromatics: In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic; sauté for 10 minutes until soft and fragrant.

• Cook Sausage: Add sausage and cook until browned, breaking it apart. Drain excess grease if needed.

• Add Seasoning & Thicken: Stir in smoked paprika and optional flour; sauté for 1 minute.

• Simmer Base: Gradually pour in chicken broth, then add potatoes. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 10–15 minutes, until potatoes are tender.

• Add Kale & Beans: Stir in kale and cannellini beans. Simmer for another 5–10 minutes until kale wilts.

• Finish & Serve: Stir in heavy cream, salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hot with crusty bread.

Notes

Use mild or hot sausage depending on your heat preference.

Substitute with chicken or turkey sausage for a leaner version.

Use Great Northern or navy beans if cannellini beans are unavailable.

For dairy-free, use a non-dairy cream or omit cream for a broth-based soup.

Add flour for a thicker consistency or skip for a lighter soup.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Soup
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian-Inspired / American Comfort

Keywords: sausage soup, kale and bean soup, creamy winter soup, Italian sausage soup, one-pot dinner, hearty soup recipe, cold weather meals, cannellini bean soup, easy soup, gluten-optional soup