Description
Hearty Tuscan white bean soup celebrates rustic Italian countryside flavors with creamy cannellini beans and robust herbs. Savory warmth welcomes you to a comforting bowl of Mediterranean culinary tradition, perfect for chilly evenings when simple ingredients create extraordinary comfort.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound beef sausage
Vegetables:
- 1 large yellow onion, diced (around 1 1/2 cups)
- 3 celery ribs, diced
- 2 large carrots, cut into rounds
- 2 cups (60 g) fresh baby spinach
Seasonings and Liquids:
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 4 cups (32 ounces) chicken broth
- 2 cans (15.5 ounces each) Great Northern beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 cup (119 grams) heavy whipping cream
Garnish:
- Chopped parsley
Instructions
- In a large Dutch oven, sear beef sausage over medium-high heat for 10-15 minutes. Use a wooden spoon to break it into small pieces, ensuring even browning and developing deep flavor caramelization.
- Reduce heat to medium and introduce diced onions, celery, and carrots. Sauté for 3-5 minutes until vegetables soften and onions become translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute, releasing aromatic notes without burning.
- Incorporate tomato paste, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper, and black pepper. Allow tomato paste to caramelize for approximately one minute, intensifying its rich color and depth of flavor.
- Pour chicken broth and add drained Great Northern beans. Stir thoroughly and bring mixture to a gentle simmer. Cook for 6-7 minutes, allowing vegetables to reach desired tenderness.
- Lower heat and blend in heavy whipping cream. Gently fold baby spinach into the soup, stirring until leaves wilt completely and cream integrates smoothly. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Carefully ladle soup into serving bowls. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant finishing touch. Accompany with warm crusty bread for optimal enjoyment.
Notes
- Choose high-quality Italian sausage with robust flavor, preferring lean varieties to reduce excess grease in the soup.
- Dice vegetables uniformly for consistent cooking and texture, ensuring they soften evenly without becoming mushy.
- Thoroughly rinse canned beans to remove excess sodium and starch, which helps maintain the soup’s clean, fresh taste.
- Replace heavy cream with Greek yogurt or coconut milk for lighter, dairy-free alternatives that still provide creamy richness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 383
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 1056 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 17 g
- Cholesterol: 72 mg