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Creamy White Bean and Sausage Soup with Kale

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A cozy, creamy, and savory soup combining white beans, sausage, and kale for a hearty and healthy comfort meal perfect for chilly evenings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces Italian sausage (sweet or spicy)
  • 2 cans (15 ounces each) cannellini or great northern beans, drained and rinsed
  • 4 cups chopped kale, stems removed
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 cups chicken broth (preferably low sodium)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream or half-and-half (optional)

Instructions

  1. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat in a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven. Remove sausage from casing if needed and crumble into the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 6-8 minutes until browned and cooked through with some caramelized bits. Use a slotted spoon to transfer sausage to a bowl, leaving the fat in the pot.
  2. Add diced onion to the pot and cook for 4-5 minutes until translucent and soft. Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
  3. Stir in thyme, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Toast for about 30 seconds to release aroma.
  4. Pour in the drained white beans and chicken broth. Stir, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat.
  5. Using the back of a spoon, gently press about half the beans against the pot’s side to create a creamy base and thicken the soup naturally.
  6. Return the browned sausage to the pot and stir in the chopped kale. Simmer gently for 10-12 minutes until kale is tender but still bright green.
  7. If desired, stir in the optional heavy cream or half-and-half. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let the soup rest off heat for a few minutes before serving to let flavors meld.

Notes

Do not rush mashing the beans to achieve a rustic creamy texture. If soup is too thick, add more broth or water. Avoid overcooking kale to keep it vibrant and not mushy. Adjust salt at the end due to varying saltiness of sausage and broth. For dairy-free, omit cream or use coconut milk (flavor will change).

Nutrition

Keywords: white bean soup, sausage soup, kale soup, creamy soup, comfort food, easy soup recipe, one pot meal, healthy soup

Find it online: https://noshbelle.com/creamy-white-bean-and-sausage-soup-with-kale-easy-cozy-comfort-bowl-recipe/