Name: Tuscan White Bean Soup
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 lb Italian sausage; 1 onion, chopped; 2 carrots, chopped; 2 celery stalks, chopped; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 6 cups vegetable broth; 2 cans (15 oz each) white beans, drained and rinsed; 4 cups fresh spinach; 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 tsp dried oregano; 1 tsp dried thyme; Salt to taste; Pepper to taste

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Why Make This Recipe

Tuscan White Bean Soup is a hearty and nutritious dish that warms you up on a cold day. It brings together simple ingredients to create a comforting meal. With its blend of flavors from the Italian sausage, veggies, and herbs, it’s sure to satisfy your taste buds. Plus, it’s easy to make and perfect for feeding a crowd or saving for later.

How to Make Tuscan White Bean Soup

Ingredients:

Italian sausage
Onion
Carrots
Celery
Garlic
Vegetable broth
Canned white beans
Fresh spinach
Olive oil
Dried oregano
Dried thyme
Salt
Pepper

Directions:

In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onions, carrots, and celery. Cook until softened.
Add minced garlic and Italian sausage, cooking until the sausage is browned.
Stir in vegetable broth, white beans, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil.
Lower heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes.
Just before serving, stir in fresh spinach and cook until wilted.
Adjust seasoning to taste and serve hot.

How to Serve Tuscan White Bean Soup

Serve the Tuscan White Bean Soup hot in bowls. You can add a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese on top for extra flavor. Pair it with crusty bread or a fresh salad for a complete meal.

How to Store Tuscan White Bean Soup

To store the soup, let it cool completely before placing it in an airtight container. It can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. If you want to keep it longer, you can freeze it for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat on the stove.

Tips to Make Tuscan White Bean Soup

For more flavor, try using homemade vegetable broth instead of store-bought.
To make it a little spicy, add red pepper flakes when cooking the sausage.
You can switch out the white beans for other beans, such as kidney beans or chickpeas.
Feel free to add other vegetables you enjoy, like zucchini or bell peppers.

Variation

You can make a vegetarian version by omitting the Italian sausage. Substitute it with more vegetables or a plant-based sausage. You can also add more herbs for different flavor profiles.

FAQs

Can I use dried beans instead of canned?

Yes, you can use dried beans. Just soak and cook them beforehand according to package instructions.

Is it possible to make this soup in a slow cooker?

Yes, you can. Brown the sausage and cook the vegetables first, then transfer everything to the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours.

Can I add pasta to the soup?

Absolutely! You can add small pasta shapes like ditalini or elbow macaroni about 10 minutes before the soup is done cooking. Make sure to adjust the liquid if it gets too thick.