Imagine a steaming bowl of pure comfort that transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary culinary experience. This Dark Days Sausage Kale and White Bean Soup isn't just another recipe—it's a warm embrace on a cold day, a nutritional powerhouse that will revolutionize your meal routine. With its rich, hearty flavors and incredibly simple preparation, this soup promises to become your new go-to dish that'll have everyone asking for seconds!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- Italian sausage
- Kale, chopped
- White beans, canned
- Onion, diced
- Carrots, diced
- Celery, diced
- Garlic, minced
- Chicken broth
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Begin by gathering all your ingredients: Italian sausage, chopped kale, canned white beans, diced onion, diced carrots, diced celery, minced garlic, chicken broth, salt, and pepper.
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat a tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Sauté the vegetables for about 5 minutes, or until they begin to soften and the onion becomes translucent.
- While the vegetables are cooking, remove the casing from the Italian sausage. Once the vegetables are softened, add the sausage to the pot. Break the sausage into smaller pieces with a spoon and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic to the pot and cook for an additional minute, stirring frequently to prevent the garlic from burning.
- Next, pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and add the canned white beans (drained and rinsed) and chopped kale.
- Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste. Stir everything together, ensuring the kale is submerged in the broth.
- Cover the pot and let the soup simmer for about 20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the kale to become tender.
- After simmering, taste the soup and adjust the seasoning if necessary. If you prefer a thicker soup, you can mash some of the white beans against the side of the pot with a spoon.
- Once the soup is ready, remove it from the heat and let it sit for a few minutes before serving. This will help the flavors develop further.
- Serve the Dark Days Sausage Kale and White Bean Soup hot, garnished with fresh herbs or a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Enjoy your hearty and nutritious meal!
Tips
- Choose high-quality Italian sausage for maximum flavor depth
- Drain and rinse canned white beans thoroughly to reduce sodium
- Don't rush the vegetable sautéing step—building flavor takes time
- For extra richness, consider adding a parmesan rind while simmering
- If kale seems too bitter, massage it briefly before adding to the soup
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to control salt levels
- For a vegetarian version, substitute sausage with plant-based alternative
- Let the soup rest 10 minutes after cooking to allow flavors to fully develop
- Freeze leftovers in portion-sized containers for quick future meals
- Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or thyme for added freshness
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 350kcal
Carbohydrates: 25g
Protein: 22g
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Cholesterol: 45mg