Description
A hearty, flexible Sausage White Bean Soup made with sausage, bacon, cannellini beans, and spinach in a rich, savory broth. Perfect for cozy family meals. Double the recipe for plenty of leftovers!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 1/2 pound large Italian sausage links (about 5 links), cooked
- 2 strips bacon, cooked crisp
- 2 tablespoons bacon grease
- 1/2 medium onion, chopped (about 1/2 cup)
- 2 med-large carrots, chopped small
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 4 (14 ounce) cans cannellini beans, drained (or 1-pound dry beans, soaked overnight)
- 3-4 cups chicken broth, homemade if possible
- 2 cups (packed) fresh baby spinach, chopped
- Unrefined sea salt, to taste
- Freshly cracked pepper, to taste
Instructions
- If using dried beans, soak 1 pound cannellini beans the night before. The next day, drain, then add to a pot and cover with water. Add salt generously, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until tender, about one hour.
- I like to make this soup with leftover grilled sausage links and leftover crispy bacon. If starting from scratch, first cook or grill the sausage links and crisp the bacon in a large pot. Set aside.
- In a large pot, melt 2 tablespoons bacon grease (or more), then add 1/2 cup chopped onion and 2 medium carrots, chopped small.
- Cook until tender, then add 2 minced garlic cloves, 1/2 teaspoon Italian Seasoning, and 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary. Stir well and cook briefly, until garlic is fragrant.
- Add 4 cans cannellini beans, drained, or 1-pound dried beans, cooked and drained. Add broth and bring to a boil, then reduce and simmer.
- Meanwhile, slice the cooked sausage links and add to the pot. Crumble the bacon into the pot. Stir well.
- Stir in 2 cups packed spinach, chopped.
- Taste and season with salt and pepper. Don’t be shy with the salt!
- Serve when sausage is heated through and all flavors have melded. I recommend pairing with freshly baked sourdough bread.
Notes
Use code KEEPITREAL for 15% off your order of my favorite unrefined sea salt, including this tasty organic season salt, and no-junk electrolytes.