Italian Sausage White Bean Soup (The Ultimate Cozy Recipe)

There is nothing more comforting on a chilly evening than a hearty, steaming bowl of soup. This Italian Sausage White Bean Soup is the perfect one-pot meal that delivers incredible flavor without spending hours in the kitchen. It’s packed with savory sausage, creamy white beans, and wholesome vegetables, all simmered in a rich, herb-infused broth. If you’re searching for a go-to recipe that’s impressive enough for guests but easy enough for a busy weeknight, you’ve found it. This soup is pure comfort in a bowl.

Why This Italian Sausage White Bean Soup Recipe Works

This isn’t just another soup recipe; it’s a carefully crafted bowl of perfection that will become a staple in your meal rotation. Here’s why you’ll love it:

• Deep, Rich Flavor: We build flavor in layers, starting with browning the Italian sausage to create a savory foundation. Sautéing the aromatics and blooming the herbs in the sausage drippings ensures every spoonful is bursting with taste.
• Quick and Easy: Despite its complex flavor, this recipe comes together in under an hour, making it an ideal weeknight dinner. Everything cooks in one pot, which means minimal cleanup.
• Hearty and Satisfying: The combination of protein-packed sausage and fiber-rich beans makes this a truly filling meal. It’s a complete dinner that nourishes and satisfies.
• Completely Customizable: This recipe is incredibly flexible. You can easily adjust the spice level, swap the greens, or make it creamy to suit your family’s preferences.

The Key Ingredients for a Perfect Soup

The magic of this soup lies in using simple, high-quality ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:

The Best Italian Sausage

The star of the show! For the best results, use 1 lb of ground Italian sausage. You can choose hot, mild, or sweet depending on your preference. Hot Italian sausage will give the soup a wonderful, spicy kick, while mild or sweet sausage provides a savory, classic flavor.

Choosing Your White Beans

Creamy white beans provide the perfect texture and substance. You will need two 15-ounce cans of cannellini beans, rinsed and drained. Great Northern beans or navy beans are also excellent substitutes. Canned beans make this recipe quick and convenient.

Aromatic Vegetables and Herbs

A classic mirepoix of onion, carrots, and celery creates the aromatic base. Plenty of fresh garlic adds a pungent depth, while dried herbs like oregano and thyme infuse the broth with classic Italian flavors. A touch of red pepper flakes adds a gentle warmth.

The Broth and Finishing Touches

We use low-sodium chicken broth as the liquid base, allowing you to control the saltiness. A can of diced tomatoes adds a hint of acidity and sweetness that balances the rich sausage. For a secret flavor weapon, add a Parmesan rind to the pot while the soup simmers; it releases a wonderful, savory, umami flavor. A splash of heavy cream at the end is optional but recommended for a luxuriously creamy finish.

How to Make Italian Sausage White Bean Soup (Step-by-Step)

This one-pot wonder is incredibly simple to prepare. Follow these steps for a perfect result every time.

1. Brown the Sausage: In a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground Italian sausage and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until it’s browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the sausage to a plate, leaving the rendered fat in the pot.
2. Sauté the Vegetables: Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have softened, about 6-8 minutes. Add the minced garlic, dried oregano, dried thyme, and red pepper flakes. Cook for another minute until fragrant.
3. Deglaze and Simmer: Pour in a splash of the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Add the rest of the chicken broth, the diced tomatoes (with their juice), the cooked sausage, the rinsed cannellini beans, and the Parmesan rind (if using). Stir everything together.
4. Simmer to Perfection: Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for at least 20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. For a deeper flavor, you can let it simmer for up to 45 minutes.
5. Finish and Serve: Remove the pot from the heat and discard the Parmesan rind. If you’re adding greens like spinach or kale, stir them in now and let them wilt for a few minutes. If making a creamy version, stir in the heavy cream. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Ladle the hot soup into bowls and garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley.

Tips for the Best Sausage and Bean Soup

A few simple techniques can elevate your soup from good to absolutely unforgettable.

• Don’t Skip Browning: Properly browning the sausage is crucial for developing a deep, savory base flavor. Don’t rush this step!
• Use a Parmesan Rind: This is a classic Italian trick for adding incredible umami depth to soups and sauces. Just drop it in while the soup simmers and remove it before serving.
• Let It Simmer: While the soup is ready in about 20 minutes of simmering, letting it go a little longer (up to 45 minutes) will result in a richer, more developed flavor profile.
• Taste and Adjust: Always taste your soup before serving. It may need a bit more salt, a pinch of red pepper for heat, or a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten it up.

Recipe Variations to Try

One of the best things about this Italian Sausage White Bean Soup is how easy it is to customize. Here are a few popular variations:

Creamy Italian Sausage White Bean Soup

For a richer, more decadent soup, stir in 1/2 cup of heavy cream at the very end of the cooking process. Alternatively, you can create a creamy texture without cream by blending one cup of the soup (mostly beans and broth) and stirring it back into the pot.

Add More Greens (Kale or Spinach)

Stir in a few large handfuls of fresh spinach or chopped kale during the last 5 minutes of simmering. The greens will wilt down and add extra nutrients and a lovely color to the soup. For a similar feel with a different flavor, try our popular Cabbage Roll Soup.

Make It Spicy

If you love heat, use hot Italian sausage. You can also increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add a finely diced jalapeño along with the other vegetables for an extra kick.

What to Serve with Your Soup

This hearty soup is a meal in itself, but it pairs beautifully with a few simple sides. Serve it with warm, crusty bread or some delicious 30-Minute Dinner Rolls for dipping. A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette also makes a perfect, fresh accompaniment.

Storing, Freezing, and Reheating

This soup is fantastic for meal prep as the flavors get even better the next day.

• Storage: Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Freezing: This soup freezes wonderfully. Let it cool completely, then transfer it to freezer-safe containers or bags. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. If you plan to freeze it, it’s best to leave out the heavy cream and add it during reheating.
• Reheating: Gently reheat the soup on the stovetop over medium-low heat until warmed through. You may need to add a splash of broth to thin it out as it will thicken upon standing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Ultimate Italian Sausage White Bean Soup Recipe

FL Recipes

Italian Sausage White Bean Soup (The Ultimate Cozy Recipe)

This hearty and flavorful Italian Sausage White Bean Soup is the perfect one-pot meal for a cozy night in. Packed with savory sausage, creamy cannellini beans, and nutritious vegetables, it's a satisfying and easy-to-make dish that's ready in under an hour.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Dinner, Main Course, Soup

Cuisine: American, Italian

Calories: 410

Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

  

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Main Ingredients

• 1 tbsp Olive Oil
• 1 lb Ground Italian Sausage Hot or mild
• 1 large Yellow Onion diced
• 2 medium Carrots diced
• 2 stalks Celery diced
• 4 cloves Garlic minced
• 1 tsp Dried Oregano
• 1 tsp Dried Thyme
• 1/4 tsp Red Pepper Flakes or more, to taste
• 6 cups Low-Sodium Chicken Broth
• 1 15-ounce can Diced Tomatoes undrained
• 2 15-ounce cans Cannellini Beans rinsed and drained
• 1 Parmesan Rind optional
• 1/2 cup Heavy Cream optional, for a creamy soup
• Salt and Black Pepper to taste
• Grated Parmesan Cheese and Fresh Parsley for garnish

Equipment

• 1 Large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot
• 1 Cutting Board
• 1 Knife

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Method

 

Main Steps

1. In a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground Italian sausage and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until it's browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the sausage to a plate, leaving the rendered fat in the pot.
2. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have softened, about 6-8 minutes. Add the minced garlic, dried oregano, dried thyme, and red pepper flakes. Cook for another minute until fragrant.
3. Pour in a splash of the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Add the rest of the chicken broth, the diced tomatoes (with their juice), the cooked sausage, the rinsed cannellini beans, and the Parmesan rind (if using). Stir everything together.
4. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for at least 20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
5. Remove the pot from the heat and discard the Parmesan rind. If making a creamy version, stir in the heavy cream. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Ladle the hot soup into bowls and garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley.

Nutrition

Calories: 410kcalProtein: 25gFat: 22gFiber: 8g

Notes

Tip 1: For extra nutrients, stir in a few handfuls of fresh spinach or kale during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
Tip 2: The Parmesan rind is optional but adds a significant depth of savory, umami flavor to the broth.
Tip 3: This soup tastes even better the next day, making it perfect for leftovers and meal prep.

Keyword italian sausage soup,one pot soup,sausage and bean soup,white bean soup

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