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Italian Sausage White Bean Soup – Hearty, Rustic, and Full of Cozy Italian Flavor

If you’re craving a warm, rustic, and deeply satisfying soup, this Italian Sausage White Bean Soup will become one of your absolute favorites. Inspired by classic Italian comfort food, this dish blends hearty white beans, tender vegetables, rich broth, and flavorful Italian-seasoned beef or chicken sausage into a bowl bursting with cozy goodness. It’s the kind of soup that fills your kitchen with irresistible aromas and your stomach with pure comfort. What makes this soup special is how beautifully simple ingredients come together to create a meal that tastes slow-cooked and full of love. The beans add creaminess, the sausage provides bold savory flavor, and the herbs infuse the broth with an unmistakable Italian flair. Whether you’re preparing a family dinner, hosting friends, or simply warming up on a chilly evening, this soup offers everything you need—taste, comfort, nourishment, and satisfaction. This recipe is also incredibly flexible. You can make it creamy or brothy, spicy or mild, and even add pasta or greens to change the character of the dish. It reheats beautifully, making it perfect for meal prep. Let’s dive into this comforting, hearty, and flavor-packed Italian-style soup.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Proteins & Vegetables
  • 1 pound Italian-style beef or chicken sausage sliced or crumbled
  • 1 onion diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 carrots sliced
  • 2 celery stalks sliced
  • 2 cups fresh spinach or kale optional
Beans & Broth
  • 2 cans white beans cannellini or great northern, drained and rinsed
  • 4 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth
  • 1 cup water add more if you want a thinner broth
Seasonings & Flavor
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon chili flakes optional
  • Salt to taste
Optional Creamy Finish
  • ½ cup heavy cream or whole milk
  • ½ cup grated parmesan optional, for serving

Equipment

  • Large soup pot or Dutch oven
  • Knife and cutting board
  • Wooden spoon
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Ladle
  • Fine mesh strainer (optional for rinsing beans)
  • Airtight containers for leftovers

Method
 

Step 1: Cook the Sausage
  1. Heat a soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the sliced or crumbled sausage and cook for 6–8 minutes until browned and fragrant. Remove the sausage and set aside, leaving the flavorful drippings in the pot.
Step 2: Sauté the Vegetables
  1. Add onions, carrots, and celery to the pot. Sauté for 5 minutes until the vegetables soften. Add garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
Step 3: Add Seasonings
  1. Stir in dried oregano, basil, thyme, pepper, and chili flakes. Toast the spices for 30 seconds to bring out their flavors.
Step 4: Add the Beans
  1. Add the rinsed white beans to the pot. Stir to coat them in the aromatic mixture.
Step 5: Add Broth and Water
  1. Pour in the chicken broth and water. Stir well and bring the mixture to a boil.
Step 6: Simmer
  1. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. This allows the flavors to blend beautifully.
Step 7: Return the Sausage
  1. Add the cooked sausage back into the pot. Simmer for another 5–10 minutes so the soup becomes richer and heartier.
Step 8: Add Greens
  1. Stir in spinach or kale. Cook until wilted and tender.
Step 9: Make It Creamy (Optional)
  1. If you prefer a creamy soup, stir in the heavy cream. Keep heat low to avoid curdling.
Step 10: Taste and Serve
  1. Adjust salt, pepper, or chili flakes. Serve warm with optional parmesan sprinkled on top.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator
Store in airtight containers for 3–4 days.
Freezer
Freeze for up to 2 months.
If using cream, freeze before adding dairy for the best texture.
Reheating
Microwave: 1–2 minutes per portion
Stovetop: Heat gently until warm
Add broth if the soup thickens over time.
🥄 Variations
Creamy Tuscan Style: Add heavy cream and parmesan at the end.
Spicy Version: Use spicy Italian chicken sausage and add extra chili flakes.
Veggie-Packed: Add zucchini, tomatoes, or bell peppers.
Protein Boost: Add shredded chicken for extra heartiness.
Pasta Version: Add small pasta like ditalini during the last 10 minutes.
Herb Lovers: Add rosemary or fresh basil for brightness.
Low-Carb: Skip the beans and add more vegetables.
❓ 10 FAQs
1. What sausage should I use?
Use beef or chicken Italian-style sausage—mild or spicy depending on your preference.
2. Can I make this soup creamy?
Yes—add heavy cream or milk during the last few minutes of cooking.
3. Can I add pasta?
Absolutely! Add pasta in the final 10 minutes so it doesn’t overcook.
4. Do white beans need to be cooked first?
Canned beans only need to be rinsed and added directly.
5. Can I make this soup vegetarian?
Yes—use vegetable broth and plant-based sausage.
6. Can I use dried beans?
Yes, but cook them separately before adding to the soup.
7. Why is my soup thick?
Beans release starch. Add broth or water to thin it.
8. Can I use kale instead of spinach?
Yes—kale adds a wonderful texture and holds up well.
9. Does the soup freeze well?
Yes! Freeze before adding dairy for the best texture.
10. Can I prepare this ahead of time?
Yes—this soup tastes even better the next day as the flavors deepen.
🏁 Conclusion
This Italian Sausage White Bean Soup is everything you want in a comforting homemade meal—warm, hearty, rustic, and full of beautiful Italian flavors. With creamy beans, flavorful sausage, aromatic herbs, and tender vegetables, this soup feels like a cozy embrace in a bowl. It’s simple, satisfying, and nourishing, making it perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or sharing with loved ones.
Whether enjoyed with warm bread, a simple salad, or entirely on its own, this soup delivers comfort and pleasure in every spoonful. Save this recipe for your cold-weather cooking or anytime you crave something wholesome, flavorful, and effortlessly delicious.