Italian White Bean Kale Sausage Soup (Print-Friendly)

Hearty Italian soup with spicy sausage, creamy white beans, Tuscan kale, and roasted garlic for comforting flavor.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 lb spicy Italian sausage, casings removed

→ Vegetables

02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 large yellow onion, diced
04 - 2 medium carrots, diced
05 - 2 celery stalks, diced
06 - 6 cloves garlic, peeled
07 - 1 bunch Tuscan kale (about 6 oz), stems removed, leaves chopped

→ Beans

08 - 2 cans (15 oz each) cannellini beans or Great Northern beans, drained and rinsed

→ Liquids

09 - 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
10 - 1 cup water

→ Herbs & Seasonings

11 - 1 tsp dried thyme
12 - 1 tsp dried oregano
13 - 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
14 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Garnish

15 - Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
16 - Extra virgin olive oil
17 - Crusty bread for serving

# Cooking Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Place garlic cloves on foil, drizzle with olive oil, wrap, and roast for 20 minutes until soft and golden. Cool, then mash into paste.
02 - Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove with slotted spoon and set aside.
03 - Add remaining olive oil to pot, then add onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté until softened, about 6 minutes.
04 - Stir in mashed roasted garlic, thyme, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
05 - Add beans, cooked sausage, chicken broth, and water. Bring to boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes.
06 - Stir in chopped kale and continue simmering for 10-12 minutes until kale is tender but vibrant.
07 - Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as desired.
08 - Ladle into bowls and garnish with Parmesan cheese, extra virgin olive oil, and crusty bread if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It tastes like something you've simmered for hours, but honest work takes just 40 minutes on the stovetop.
  • The roasted garlic transforms into this creamy, sweet paste that makes the whole soup feel luxurious without fancy ingredients.
  • Kale stays vibrant and tender instead of turning into sad green mush, which honestly took me a few tries to master.
02 -
  • Don't skip the roasted garlic step—those golden cloves are what separates this from regular bean soup and makes it taste restaurant-quality.
  • Add kale toward the end, not the beginning; early kale dissolves into nothing, but late-added kale stays textured and delicious.
03 -
  • If you want extra richness, toss a Parmesan rind into the pot while it simmers and pull it out before serving—it adds umami depth without making the soup heavy.
  • Make sure your beans are drained and rinsed well, or you'll end up with a cloudy broth instead of that clear, inviting one.
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