Description
Tuscan White Bean Soup is a hearty, satisfying one‑pot meal with Italian sausage, creamy beans, vegetables, and fresh spinach. Rustic, comforting, and full of flavor, it’s perfect for cozy dinners or meal prep.
Ingredients
- 1 lb mild Italian sausage
- 1 large yellow onion, diced (≈ 1½ cups)
- 3 ribs celery, diced
- 2 large carrots, sliced rounds
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 4 cups (32 oz) chicken broth
- 2 cans (15.5 oz each) Great Northern beans, drained & rinsed
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
- Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- In a large Dutch oven over medium‑high heat, cook the sausage until browned, breaking into small pieces (≈ 10‑15 minutes).
- Reduce heat to medium. Add diced onion, celery, and carrots; cook until onions soften (3‑5 minutes). Then add minced garlic and cook another minute.
- Stir in tomato paste, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper, and black pepper, mixing with the vegetables and sausage.
- Pour in chicken broth, add the drained beans, and bring to a simmer. Let cook for about 6‑7 minutes, until the carrots and celery are tender.
- Stir in heavy cream and spinach; cook until the spinach wilts (≈ 5 minutes).
- Serve hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley.
Notes
- Substitute spicy Italian sausage for more heat or use ground turkey/chicken for a lighter version.
- For a vegetarian version, use plant‑based sausage or omit meat and use vegetable broth.
- Kale or Swiss chard can replace spinach for a heartier green.
- Add a can of diced tomatoes or extra tomato paste for more tomato flavor.
- Adjust crushed red pepper to taste depending on spice preference.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup / Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop One‑Pot
- Cuisine: Italian / Tuscan
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approx. 1½ cups)
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
