This Tuscan Sausage, Kale, and White Bean Soup is the perfect cozy dish for soup season. It’s hearty, flavorful, and packed with healthy ingredients that will warm you from the inside out.
Why You'll Love It
During the winter months, I CRAVE this tuscan inspired sausage, kale and white bean soup.
And i can tell you, if you’re a fan of hearty soups that are easy to make and loaded with good things, this great great recipe is for YOU!
The combination of spicy Italian sausage, creamy white beans, and tender kale creates a flavor-packed bowl of hot soup that feels both rustic and satisfying.
The best part? It’s super versatile and is super easy to adjust to your own ideas of what makes a great soup!
You can swap out the spicy Italian sausage for mild Italian sausage, chicken sausage, or even plant-based sausages for a veggie-friendly twist.
Plus, with healthy ingredients like fresh garlic, chopped kale, and carrots, this soup not only tastes delicious but also packs a nutritious punch which i am so here for!
I low how the white beans add a creamy texture without any cream, while the parmesan cheese melts into the broth, creating a rich, savory flavor.
And don't forget that adding a parmesan rind while simmering can give the soup even more depth and creaminess.
It's such a delicious recipe no matter if you're making a big batch for meal prep or serving it with crusty bread for dinner. I promise that this Tuscan-inspired white bean kale sausage soup will quickly become a favorite.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here is everything you need to make this delicious sausage, kale, white bean soup. Trust me, it's so good, you'll be scraping the bottom of the pot for more!
- Olive Oil: Use extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor, but any neutral oil will work.
- Spicy Italian Sausage: Not a fan of spicy Italian sausage? Substitute with mild Italian sausage, sweet italian sausage, chicken sausage, turkey sausage, or plant-based sausages for a different flavor profile. If you're using another type of sausage that might have not have enough flavor, add 1 tablespoon of italian seasoning and a bay leaf when you add your sausage.
- Onion: I always opt for a yellow or vidalia onion because it adds sweetness. But you can use white or red onions if that's what you have.
- Carrots: Shredded carrots add color and sweetness without much effort. Feel free to add extra carrots for more veggie goodness.
- Leeks: Use the tender inner leaves, roughly chopped. If leeks aren’t available, try shallots or just leave them out -- don't worry, it'll still be delicious! .
- Garlic: Fresh garlic adds much flavor. Don’t skimp on this! The pre-minced jarred variety is meh in this recipe.
- Chicken or Vegetable Broth: Either works great, depending on your preference. Chicken stock adds a richer flavor, while vegetable broth keeps it plant-based.
- White Beans: Hearty white bean, cannellini beans or navy beans work perfectly. You can also try great northern beans for a similar texture.
- Kale: Use chopped kale—Tuscan kale (also known as lacinato kale) or curly kale are both great choices. You could also use collard greens or even mustard greens or another one of your favorite leafy greens if you had some on hand.
- Whole Milk: Adds creaminess. You can substitute with single cream for a richer texture or a plant-based milk for a dairy-free option.
- Parmigiano: Finely grated parmesan cheese adds umami. For extra flavor, toss in a parmesan rind while the soup simmers. Or use another hard aged italian cheese like pecorino romano.
- Salt and Pepper: Season to taste, and don’t forget a pinch of salt to bring out the flavors and kosher salt is the best for that!
- Optional Additions: Want to be even more fancy? Try topping your sausage and kale soup recipe with some crushed red pepper flakes and a squeeze of lemon juice to really wake up the flavors. You could also add to my selection of veggies when it comes to this white bean soup recipe. You could add a can of fire roasted tomatoes, a fat tablespoon of tomato paste when you are sauteeing the veggies and ground sausage.
How to Make It
Here are the detailed instructions on how to make this white bean sausage soup with kale. Don't forget you could also scroll to the bottom to get the printable recipe for this delicious soup.
BROWN THE SAUSAGE: Add a little olive oil and the spicy Italian sausage to a large pot or large Dutch oven over medium heat. Use a wooden spoon to break the sausage into small pieces. Cook until browned, then remove the sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside.
SAUTÉ THE VEGGIES: In the same soup pot, add the onion, carrots, leeks, and a pinch of salt. scraping up any of the browned bits on the bottom of the pot. Cook over medium-high heat for 4-5 minutes until softened. Add the garlic (and a pinch of red pepper flakes if you want extra heat) and cook for another 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
ADD THE BROTH AND BEANS: Pour in the chicken broth (or vegetable broth) and add the white beans. Stir to combine and bring to a boil. Let the soup boil for 15 minutes to develop flavor.
PUREE FOR CREAMINESS: Use an immersion blender to puree about half of the soup directly in the pot, or carefully transfer some to a blender. This step creates a creamy texture without adding cream.
RETURN THE SAUSAGE AND ADD KALE: Return the cooked sausage to the pot, then add the chopped kale and milk. Stir well and simmer for 5 more minutes until the kale is tender.
FINISH AND SERVE: Stir in the parmesan cheese, season with salt and pepper to taste, and drizzle with a little olive oil before serving. Enjoy with crusty bread for the best result!
SAVE: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium heat for the best result.
What to Serve with Sausage, Kale & White Bean Soup
Here are some of my favorite easy recipes to serve with this delicoius and hearty winter soup.
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Grilled Cheese Sandwich
- Creamy Chicken Tortellini Alfredo Recipe (Easy & One Pot!)
- Easy Cheesy Meatball Sliders Recipe (on Hawaiian Rolls)
- Easy Italian Grinder Salad Recipe (Viral on Tiktok!)
- Spicy Rigatoni Vodka Recipe (Copycat Pasta Sauce)
- Lazy Lasagna Recipe (Easy, One-Pot & 5 Ingredients!)
Recipe
Tuscan Sausage, Kale, and White Bean Soup
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- ½ lb Spicy Italian Sausage
- 1 medium Onion finely chopped (yellow or sweet onion is preferred)
- 1 cup Carrots shredded
- 1 cup Leeks tender inner leaves, roughly chopped
- 10 cloves Garlic finely chopped
- 2 quarts Chicken (or Vegetable Broth)
- 2 cans White Beans strained
- 2 cups Kale Finely Chopped
- 1 cup Whole Milk
- 1 cup Parmigiano finely grated
- Salt and Pepper
FOR SERVING: More Parmesan Cheese, Red Pepper Flakes and Finishing Olive Oil
Instructions
- Add olive oil and sausage to a heavy bottomed pan (I’m using a braiser) over medium heat. Use a spatula to break the sausage up into little bits.
- Once the sausage is cooked through, remove it from the pot and add onion, carrots, leeks and a pinch of salt and cook for 4-5 minutes.
- Add garlic and cook down for another few minutes or until the garlic is starting to get tender and fragrant.
- Add the stock and beans and stir. Let the soup boil for 15 minutes then puree about half of the mixture using an immersion blender or by pouring some in a blender.
- Add the sausage back in along with the kale and milk and stir once more. Let the mixture simmer for 5 more minutes or until the kale is tender.
- Add the cheese and stir. Season with salt and pepper to taste and finish with a drizzle of good olive oil and red pepper flakes before serving. Enjoy!
