Description
Spicy Italian Sausage and Cannellini Bean Soup is a bold and comforting dish combining spicy sausage, creamy cannellini beans, and savory Italian herbs for a hearty, nutritious, and easy-to-make meal perfect for any season.
Ingredients
Scale
Sausage and Beans
- 1 pound spicy Italian sausage (ground or links, casing removed)
- 2 cans (15 ounces each) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
Liquids and Tomatoes
- 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 4 cups chicken broth
Seasonings and Oils
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Brown the Sausage: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the spicy Italian sausage and cook, breaking it into small pieces with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. This creates a savory flavor base.
- Sauté the Vegetables: Remove the sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside. Add onion, garlic, carrots, and celery to the same pot. Sauté until softened and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes, letting them absorb the sausage drippings and build aroma.
- Combine and Simmer: Return the browned sausage to the pot. Stir in crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, oregano, basil, thyme, and red pepper flakes. Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for at least 20 minutes to meld flavors.
- Add the Cannellini Beans: Stir in the drained and rinsed cannellini beans gently, then simmer just until heated through to keep beans tender and creamy without breaking apart, about 5 minutes.
- Adjust and Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, black pepper, and additional red pepper flakes if desired. Serve hot with optional garnishes such as grated Parmesan, chopped parsley or basil, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
Notes
- Brown the sausage thoroughly for deeper, caramelized flavor.
- Use quality chicken or vegetable broth for the best taste.
- Fold beans gently after adding to avoid breaking them.
- Simmer the soup gently to allow flavors to meld without overcooking delicate ingredients.
- Add red pepper flakes gradually to control spiciness.
- Use fresh herbs like basil or oregano if available to enhance freshness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approx. 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: Spicy Italian sausage soup, Cannellini bean soup, Hearty sausage soup, Italian bean soup, Comfort food soup, Gluten-free soup