Description
This hearty Italian Sausage White Bean Soup combines savory Italian sausage and crispy bacon with creamy cannellini beans and fresh spinach for a comforting and flavorful meal. Perfect for cozy dinners, this soup features a smooth yet textured broth thanks to partial blending and is seasoned with classic Italian herbs.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 4 strips bacon
Vegetables
- 1/2 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 small carrots, peeled and chopped
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach
Pantry
- 4 cans (14 oz each) cannellini beans, drained
- 4 cups chicken broth
- Italian seasoning, to taste
- Rosemary, to taste
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Brown Meat: In a large soup pot, brown the Italian sausage and bacon over medium-high heat until crispy, about 15 minutes. Once cooked, remove the meat from the pot and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pot for the next step.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the chopped onion to the pot with the remaining fat and sauté for 3 to 5 minutes until softened and translucent. Then stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add Beans and Broth: Pour in the drained cannellini beans and chicken broth. Stir in Italian seasoning and rosemary, mixing well to combine all flavors.
- Blend Soup: Use an immersion blender to purée the soup, leaving some beans intact to maintain a pleasant texture and body in the soup.
- Add Meat and Carrots: Return the browned sausage and crispy bacon to the pot along with the chopped carrots. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cover. Let it cook for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the carrots become tender.
- Finish with Spinach: Just before serving, stir in the fresh baby spinach until wilted. Taste and season with salt and pepper as desired.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, use spicy Italian sausage or add crushed red pepper flakes.
- Using an immersion blender helps create a creamy texture while preserving some bean chunks for added texture.
- Fresh herbs like parsley can be added as a garnish for extra flavor.
- This soup stores well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and freezes well for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Italian sausage soup, white bean soup, cannellini beans, comforting soup, easy soup recipe
