Kale and White Bean Soup with Sausage
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Want something warm, comforting, filling and loaded with flavor? Then this slow simmered Kale and White Bean Soup with Sausage is for you and it’s brimming with slices of crispy hot Italian sausages and fresh chopped kale.
Following my Mom’s Navy White Beans recipe I decided to add a few goodies to beef it up so to speak. I love foods that evoke memories and this one always brings my mom into the kitchen with me and the fun times we had sharing our love of cooking.
This makes for a big batch with plenty of leftovers so I usually store half of it and freeze for a later meal.
The night before you need to soak the beans in water to rehydrate them. Easy enough right? So Saturday evening I soaked the beans and started this first thing Sunday morning. If you forget you can always follow my Quick Soak Method, so don’t let forgetting to soak your beans the night before be a reason not to make this.
The rest is not difficult. Putting all of these wonderful ingredients like the classic trio of chopped onion, carrot and celery, some fresh herbs like bay leaves and thyme gets the kitchen and house smelling so good. Working back in my office I could smell the simmering soups aroma wafting down the hall. Love that!
Best part – all of this simmers away while you go take care of what you need to focus on.
This simple yet satisfying white bean soup that gets turned into a meal with the added pan seared sausages and kale. I don’t add any salt to this and let the flavors from the hot Italian sausages work their magic. The kale is hearty enough to stand up to the heat of the soup and doesn’t get all mushy and completely wilted.
This becomes a rich and thick bean soup, not a thin watered down version. The added chicken stock helps enrich the beans cooked in the water and the end result is a hearty meal with lots of texture.
A healthy bit of freshly grated parmesan cheese on top adds that finishing touch. I always like to have some crusty bread with soups to soak up the thickened broth. Sourdough does the trick for me, and if it’s store bought or homemade like my French Style Round Sourdough Bread, serve it alongside.
Kale and White Bean Soup with Sausage
Quick Soak Method.
Ingredients
- 16 oz white navy beans
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 1 large onion diced
- 1 large carrots chopped
- 4 celery stalks chopped
- 3 cloves of crushed garlic
- 4 sprigs of thyme tied
- 3 bay leaves
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 lb Hot Italian Sausages
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cups fresh kale stems removed, chopped
- Fresh parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Soak the beans overnight in cold water covering the beans by 1 inch.
- Rinse and drain the excess water from soaked beans and add fresh water to cover by 1 inch in a large stock pot. Bring to a boil, lower heat and simmer covered for 30 minutes.
- After 30 minutes, add the chicken stock, chopped onion, carrot, celery, garlic and herbs. Bring to a boil, cover and lower heat to simmer for 3 hours or until beans are soft, but not mushy.
- While beans are cooking, prick holes in sausages with fork and pan fry until browned on all sides and cooked through. When cooled, slice into 1/4” slices. Set aside on paper towel to drain excess oil.
- After beans are cooked add the sausage slices and chopped kale leaves. Stir to incorporate, cover and allow to rest for 20 minutes. Season to taste, grate fresh Parmesan cheese on top and serve with crusty bread.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
My baby love sausage but I only can steam or pan fry the sausage now from your kind sharing I know one amazing recipe for that kind of meat. Sure it will more healthy and nutritious for my baby. The white bean is my absolute favorites as well.
Just one question, If i dont want to pan fry the sausage (I try to avoid the oil as much as possible) whether I can steam it?! Is it will effect to the taste. thank you!
Hello Hannah! Yes, you could either steam them, microwave and then slice them. I have 🙂 I just like the seared, crunchy, caramelized edges from a quick pan fry. Thanks for visiting my site. 🙂
We’re on the same wavelength Kevin! 🙂 I’m all about soup right now and this one has my name on it!
Thanks Marissa! Something tells me I need to check your site. 🙂
It’s snowing like crazy outside, and this soup looks like the perfect way to enjoy a day inside! Bean soups of all kinds are my favorites!
Thank you so much Susan, I agree. Especially with a loaf of bread and company. 🙂
I love white bean and kale soup. The first time I had I was in Florence and I immediately fell in love with it. I can’t wait to give your recipe a try!
#WolfpackAwesomeness
Thanks Mike. Tasty and filling – going for a healthier 2016!
We’re cooking soup for dinner everyday now. This will be a perfect addition to our soup collection. So simple and comforting! I can drink a few big bowls and don’t need anything else for dinner 🙂
Thank you Maggie, this is definitely filling and like a warm hug!
Hey Kevin! This is what I need! A hot bowl of comfort! It snowed here yesterday and this morning when I took the dogs out it was 20 degrees – in TN!! Gary made two herbed baguettes today that would be perfect with this! 🙂
20°F is quite chilly, you’re a good mom to take the kids out in that! Dave’s brother and sister-in-law were in town yesterday and we took them to our favorite Dim Sum house for brunch, great catching up. They mentioned they were headed back and it was going to be cold, but not that cold!
Bean soup is one of my absolute favourites and is a bit of a staple in our household in the cooler months. Such hearty, delicious goodness. I love this, Kevin!
Hearty comfort food for sure rules! Thanks John.
I have kale in my fridge and just said to self yesterday, this needs to be cooked. I have made some sort of kale and sausage soup for years, one of my daughters fav’s. I have tried to make a healthiers version of Olive Gardens soup and trid the full fat version. All are good and this may be tonights dinner, unfortunately without the sourdough????. Feom what I’ve read, it would be hard to make starter in our hot environment, at least without a/c.
Hi there Cathy! Any crusty loaf of bread would do, really. I am just partial to sourdough and actually did a 6 part series on it here. I believe you to be in the Caribbean, not too sure on how the humidity would be to make a starter, but I’d give it a go anyways. Couldn’t live without it or this hearty soup. Cheers!
Thank you Kevin. I would love to try it. I’ve never seen sourdough bread here, but I do really love it. It would be great if it did work, so I’ll definitely watch your series.
I’m sure there are some wonderful things you are able to have where you live that we don’t have here. Thank goodness that we can travel and experience other places and what they have to offer. Maybe give it a try and let me know how your baking adventures go in the Caribbean. 🙂
Oh, I have so much to learn! This.looks.amazing!! Of course, kale and sausage, celery and carrots… I can almost taste the amazing combination and flavor of this soup. Kevin, as always, your pictures are so beautiful (do you get bored hearing this?). Way to take a nice traditional base and totally take it to a new, health and modern level. I love how this brings your mom back into the kitchen with you. What a special recipe. And that spoon!?! Wow, my soul brother ;).
Really appreciate your kind words Sally. They’re great motivators to keep pushing AND a great way to greet the day!
P.S. BTW, Found the spoon at a World Market store.
I got the same spoon at the World Market by me (and I have a fork and knife too 😉 ).
This sounds like my kind of meal, Kevin! I’ve been eating soup like it’s going out of style over here, and I’m thinking this needs to be the next one on my list. I also kinda want to just eat that loaf of sourdough. It looks perfect!!
Thanks Dave, I decided to make two long ovals this time instead of the large round like I usually do. I experimented with spritzing water in the oven occasionally too this round. Always trying to make the perfect loaf! This soup with fill you up, too. I’ve found it to be a great dessert deterrent. 🙂