Rustic Italian Bean and Sausage Soup
Warm your heart and soul with this Rustic Italian Bean and Sausage Soup, a delightful medley of flavors and textures inspired by traditional Italian cuisine. Packed with robust ingredients such as sweet Italian sausage, vibrant vegetables, and protein-rich beans, this hearty soup is not only comforting but also visually stunning with its rich colors. Perfect for chilly winter evenings, it pairs beautifully with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and crusty bread for dipping, creating a fulfilling and satisfying meal for family and friends alike.
N/A
Servings
290
Calories
18
Ingredients
Ingredients
olive oil
1 tablespoon (none)
butter
1 tablespoon (none)
onion
1 medium (coarsely chopped)
bay leaf
1 (none)
dried thyme
1 teaspoon (none)
Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon (none)
garlic cloves
2 (minced)
dry white wine
1/4 cup (none)
sweet Italian sausage
1 pound (coarsely crumbled)
diced tomatoes
1 (28 ounce) can (petite dice)
frozen spinach
1 (10 ounce) package (none)
chicken broth
4 cups (none)
flat-leaf Italian parsley
2 tablespoons (chopped)
red kidney beans
1 (15 ounce) can (rinsed and drained)
cannellini beans
1 (15 ounce) can (rinsed and drained)
salt
1 teaspoon (none)
fresh ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon (none)
small shell pasta
1 cup (none)
Instructions
1
In a large pot over medium heat, combine the olive oil and butter. Once the butter has melted, add the coarsely chopped onion, dried thyme, Italian seasoning, and bay leaf. Sauté until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes.
2
While the onion is cooking, brown the crumbled sweet Italian sausage in a separate skillet over medium heat until fully cooked, about 7-10 minutes. Once browned, set aside.
3
Stir in the minced garlic with the onion mixture and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Pour in the dry white wine and let it simmer until the liquid reduces by half, approximately 3-4 minutes.
4
Add the browned sausage back to the pot, stirring to blend all the ingredients.
5
Pour in the chicken broth, diced tomatoes, and frozen spinach. Bring the mixture to a slow boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Allow it to cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to help break apart the spinach.
6
Rinse and drain the canned red kidney beans and cannellini beans, then add them to the soup. Stir in the chopped parsley, salt, black pepper, and small shell pasta.
7
Cook for an additional 10 minutes or until the pasta is tender. Taste and adjust the seasoning as necessary.
8
Ladle the soup into bowls and generously garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Serve hot with a side of crusty bread for dipping.
Nutrition Information
12
Fat
29
Carbs
16
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Rustic Italian Bean and Sausage Soup?
It is a hearty medley of sweet Italian sausage, vibrant vegetables, and protein-rich beans inspired by traditional Italian cuisine.
What type of sausage is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for one pound of sweet Italian sausage, coarsely crumbled and browned.
Which beans are included in the soup?
This soup uses a combination of one 15-ounce can of red kidney beans and one 15-ounce can of cannellini beans.
Do the canned beans need preparation?
Yes, both the red kidney beans and cannellini beans should be rinsed and drained before being added to the pot.
What pasta shape is recommended for this soup?
One cup of small shell pasta is used to add texture and heartiness to the dish.
Is the spinach fresh or frozen?
The recipe specifically uses one 10-ounce package of frozen spinach.
How much chicken broth is required?
You will need 4 cups of chicken broth as the liquid base for the soup.
What is the purpose of adding dry white wine?
1/4 cup of dry white wine is added and reduced by half to provide a deep, complex flavor to the broth.
How many calories are in a serving of this soup?
Each serving of the Rustic Italian Bean and Sausage Soup contains approximately 290 calories.
How much protein does this soup provide?
This recipe provides 16 grams of protein per serving.
What are the total carbohydrates per serving?
There are 29 grams of carbohydrates in each serving.
What is the fat content of this recipe?
The soup contains 12 grams of fat per serving.
How long should I sauté the onions?
Sauté the coarsely chopped onion for about 5-7 minutes until it becomes translucent and fragrant.
Should the sausage be cooked in the main pot?
No, the sausage should be browned in a separate skillet for 7-10 minutes before being added to the main pot.
How much garlic is needed?
The recipe requires 2 minced garlic cloves.
What type of tomatoes are added to the soup?
One 28-ounce can of petite diced tomatoes is used for the soup.
What herbs and seasonings are included?
The seasoning includes dried thyme, Italian seasoning, a bay leaf, salt, and fresh ground black pepper.
What type of parsley should I use?
The recipe recommends 2 tablespoons of chopped flat-leaf Italian parsley.
What is the best way to serve this soup?
Serve it hot, garnished with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and accompanied by crusty bread for dipping.
How long does the pasta take to cook in the soup?
The pasta should simmer in the soup for about 10 minutes or until it is tender.
What fats are used to start the soup?
The soup begins by combining one tablespoon of olive oil and one tablespoon of butter.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are a total of 18 ingredients used to make this soup.
Is this soup suitable for cold weather?
Yes, it is specifically described as perfect for chilly winter evenings.
When do I add the garlic?
Stir in the minced garlic after the onion is translucent and cook for 1-2 minutes before adding the wine.
What is the preparation for the onion?
One medium onion should be coarsely chopped for this recipe.
How much salt is used?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of salt.
How much black pepper is added?
The recipe uses 1/4 teaspoon of fresh ground black pepper.
Is this considered a one-dish meal?
Yes, it is tagged as a hearty one-dish meal due to its protein, vegetable, and pasta content.
Do I need to break apart the frozen spinach?
Yes, while the soup simmers for 10 minutes, you should stir occasionally to help break apart the spinach.
What kind of wine should I use?
The recipe suggests using a dry white wine for the best results.