Description
Hearty sausage, kale, and white bean soup warms souls with Italian-inspired comfort. Packed with robust flavors and nutritious ingredients, this simple one-pot wonder delivers pure culinary satisfaction you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or hot), casings removed
- 5 cups chicken broth
Vegetables and Beans:
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 medium Yukon gold potatoes, diced
- 3 packed cups chopped kale, stems removed
- 2 (15 ounces) cans cannellini or great northern beans, drained and rinsed
Seasonings and Finishing Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- ¾ cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Juice of ½ lemon (optional, for brightness)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high temperature, introducing ground sausage and methodically crumble while browning for approximately 6 minutes. Transfer sausage to a separate plate, preserving the flavorful residue in the cooking vessel.
- Gently sauté diced onions in the identical pot, allowing them to soften and become translucent. Introduce minced garlic and red pepper flakes, letting aromatic notes develop for an additional minute.
- Pour chicken broth into the pot, carefully adding cubed potatoes. Elevate to a rolling boil, then reduce heat, allowing the potatoes to simmer and tenderize for 12-15 minutes until easily pierced with a fork.
- Incorporate white beans and roughly chopped kale into the simmering liquid. Reintroduce the previously browned sausage, letting the ingredients meld and the greens wilt for 5-7 minutes.
- Enrich the soup with a splash of cream and a hint of bright lemon juice. Calibrate seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper, ensuring a harmonious flavor profile.
- Carefully ladle the robust soup into warm serving bowls. Accompany with rustic, crusty bread to transform this preparation into a hearty, comforting meal.
Notes
- Choose spicy or mild sausage based on personal heat preference, creating a customizable flavor profile.
- Drain and rinse canned beans thoroughly to reduce sodium and improve overall soup texture.
- Consider using turkey sausage for a leaner protein option without compromising rich, hearty taste.
- Swap heavy cream with coconut milk or Greek yogurt for dairy-free or lighter alternative that maintains creamy consistency.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 425
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg