Description
At its core, the Creamy Tuscan White Bean Soup with Sausage is a thick, protein-rich stew that combines savory Italian sausage with tender cannellini beans and a medley of aromatic vegetables. Unlike thinner broths, this soup has a velvet-like consistency thanks to the addition of heavy cream and a clever technique of mashing some of the beans directly into the liquid.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
- 1 tbsp olive oil (if needed)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3–4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 medium carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 cans (15 oz each) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- Salt & black pepper to taste
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
1. Cook sausage
- In a large pot, cook sausage over medium heat until browned.
- Break it into small pieces as it cooks.
- Remove excess grease if needed.
2. Sauté vegetables
- Add onion, carrots, and celery to the pot.
- Cook 5–7 minutes until softened.
- Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
3. Build the soup base
- Stir in Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes.
- Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer.
4. Add beans
- Add cannellini beans and simmer for 10–15 minutes.
5. Make it creamy
- Stir in heavy cream and mix well.
- Lightly mash some beans with a spoon to thicken the soup.
6. Add greens
- Stir in spinach and cook until wilted.
7. Finish & serve
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Top with Parmesan cheese if desired.
- Serve warm.
Notes
This soup is rich, filling, and perfect for chilly days—simple ingredients, big flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 420 kcal
Keywords: Creamy Italian sausage and bean stew, Tuscan white bean and sausage soup, creamy cannellini bean soup with meat, rustic Italian sausage bean soup