Hearty Italian Sausage, Bean, and Spinach Soup
This hearty and flavorful Italian sausage, bean, and spinach soup is a perfect comfort meal that's both nourishing and satisfying. Prepare the soup a day in advance for optimal flavor infusion. It's a versatile dish that's great for a family meal or for storing as leftovers. The combination of savory Italian sausage, tender beans, nutrient-rich spinach, and perfectly cooked pasta shells creates a balanced and wholesome soup sure to impress all who try it.
N/A
Servings
750 kcal
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
Italian sausage
2.5 lbs (removed from casings)
olive oil
2 tablespoons
large carrots
2 (peeled and coarsely chopped)
large onion
1 (finely chopped)
fresh garlic
2 tablespoons (minced)
dried chili pepper flakes
2 teaspoons (optional or to taste)
dried basil
3 teaspoons (or to taste)
chicken broth
2-3 quarts
diced tomatoes
2 (14-ounce) cans
cannellini beans
2 (15-ounce) cans (rinsed and drained)
large uncooked shell pasta
2 cups
fresh spinach
12 ounces (can use frozen)
grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup (or to taste)
salt and black pepper
to taste
Instructions
1
Begin by heating olive oil in a large 8-10-quart pot over medium-high heat.
2
Once the oil is hot, add the Italian sausage. Cook the sausage, breaking it up with a spoon until it's browned and cooked through, approximately 8-10 minutes. Transfer the sausage to a plated bowl, leaving the oils behind in the pot.
3
Into the pot, add the chopped onion, chopped carrots, dried basil, and dried chili pepper flakes. Sauté these ingredients until the onions become translucent, about 5-6 minutes. Add the minced garlic during the last 2 minutes of sautéing.
4
Pour in the chicken broth, diced tomatoes with their juice, and the rinsed and drained cannellini beans. Stir to combine, then bring the mixture to a boil.
5
Cover the pot with a lid, reduce the heat to medium-low, and allow the soup to simmer for about 30 minutes, enabling the flavors to meld.
6
Stir in the uncooked pasta shells and reduce the heat to a simmer. Allow it to cook, stirring occasionally, until the pasta reaches a firm-tender consistency, approximately 10 minutes.
7
Once the pasta is cooked, skim off any excess fat that has floated to the top of the soup.
8
Mix in the grated Parmesan cheese along with the fresh spinach. Stir until the spinach is wilted, which should take about 1-2 minutes.
9
Taste the soup and season with salt and black pepper according to your preference.
10
Serve the soup hot with extra Parmesan cheese on the side for added flavor.
Nutrition Information
54 g
Fat
33.3 g
Carbs
37.5 g
Protein
10 g
Fiber
6.7 g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main protein in this soup?
The main protein in this soup is 2.5 lbs of Italian sausage, removed from its casings.
Can I use frozen spinach instead of fresh?
Yes, the recipe specifies that you can use 12 ounces of frozen spinach as an alternative to fresh spinach.
What type of beans are used in this Italian soup?
The recipe calls for two 15-ounce cans of cannellini beans, which should be rinsed and drained.
How long does it take to cook the Italian sausage?
The sausage should be cooked for approximately 8-10 minutes until it is browned and cooked through.
What kind of pasta is recommended?
The recipe recommends using 2 cups of large uncooked shell pasta.
How much chicken broth is needed?
You will need between 2 to 3 quarts of chicken broth depending on your desired consistency.
Should I drain the diced tomatoes?
No, you should add the diced tomatoes along with their juice into the pot.
How long should the soup simmer before adding the pasta?
The soup should simmer covered for about 30 minutes to enable the flavors to meld before adding the pasta.
How many calories are in a serving of this soup?
Each serving contains approximately 750 kcal.
Is this soup high in protein?
Yes, each serving provides 37.5 g of protein.
What is the fiber content of this recipe?
This soup contains 10 g of fiber per serving.
How long does the pasta take to cook in the soup?
The pasta shells take approximately 10 minutes to reach a firm-tender consistency.
When should I add the garlic?
Add the minced garlic during the last 2 minutes of sautéing the onions and carrots.
What size pot is required for this recipe?
A large 8-10-quart pot is recommended for preparing this soup.
Can I make this soup in advance?
Yes, preparing the soup a day in advance is recommended for optimal flavor infusion.
How do I handle excess fat in the soup?
Once the pasta is cooked, you should skim off any excess fat that has floated to the top of the soup.
What type of cheese is used in the recipe?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving.
How much spinach is required?
The recipe calls for 12 ounces of fresh or frozen spinach.
What spices are used to flavor the soup?
The soup is flavored with dried basil, dried chili pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper.
How many carrots are used?
The recipe requires 2 large carrots, peeled and coarsely chopped.
Is the chili pepper optional?
Yes, the 2 teaspoons of dried chili pepper flakes are optional and can be adjusted to taste.
How long does it take for the spinach to wilt?
Once mixed into the hot soup, the spinach should take about 1-2 minutes to wilt.
What is the fat content per serving?
There are 54 g of fat per serving in this recipe.
How much sugar is in the soup?
The soup contains 6.7 g of sugar per serving.
What are the carbohydrates per serving?
The soup contains 33.3 g of carbohydrates per serving.
Should the onion be finely or coarsely chopped?
The recipe specifies using 1 large onion that is finely chopped.
What is the first step in the cooking process?
The first step is heating olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat.
Do I leave the sausage in the pot while sautéing vegetables?
No, you should transfer the cooked sausage to a bowl and leave only the oils behind to sauté the vegetables.
What tags describe this recipe?
Tags include italian, soup, comfort food, hearty, nourishing, bean soup, and sausage.
How should the soup be served?
Serve the soup hot with extra Parmesan cheese on the side for added flavor.