Description
Comforting Tuscan white bean soup weaves rustic Italian flavors into a hearty, nourishing bowl of warmth. Creamy beans, fragrant herbs, and rich broth invite you to savor a taste of Tuscany’s culinary heritage.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (454 grams) mild Italian sausage
- 2 cans Great Northern beans, drained
- 4 cups (946 milliliters) chicken broth
- 2 cups (60 grams) fresh baby spinach
Vegetables:
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 3 ribs celery, diced
- 2 large carrots, sliced
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
Seasonings and Finishing Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup (118 milliliters) heavy whipping cream
- Chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Heat a Dutch oven over medium-high flame and sauté sausage, methodically crumbling the meat until it develops a rich, golden-brown exterior, approximately 10-15 minutes.
- Incorporate diced onions, celery, and carrots into the rendered sausage fat, allowing vegetables to soften and release their aromatic essence for 3-5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, roughly 1 minute.
- Introduce tomato paste, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes, stirring vigorously to distribute flavors and create a harmonious base.
- Pour in chicken broth and cannellini beans, reducing heat to a gentle simmer. Allow mixture to meld and vegetables to tenderize for 6-7 minutes, creating a robust and comforting profile.
- Swirl in heavy cream and fresh spinach leaves, cooking until greens wilt and become vibrant emerald, approximately 5 minutes. Finish by scattering fresh chopped parsley across the surface for a bright, herbaceous garnish.
Notes
- Select spicy or mild Italian sausage depending on heat preference, ensuring even browning by breaking into small crumbles.
- Use fresh beans instead of canned for richer texture and reduced sodium content if preparing ahead of time.
- Swap heavy cream with coconut milk or Greek yogurt for lighter, dairy-free alternative that maintains creamy consistency.
- Consider adding kale or Swiss chard as spinach substitute for enhanced nutritional profile and different flavor complexity.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 344 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 19 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg