Tuscan White Bean Soup
Tuscan White Bean Soup is a comforting and flavorful one-pot dish that brings the taste of Italy to your kitchen. This hearty soup features a delightful combination of Italian sausage, vibrant vegetables, and creamy white beans, making it perfect for cozy dinners or gatherings. Its rich flavors deepen with each reheating, ensuring it’s a winner any day of the week.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to Prepare: With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, this recipe is perfect for both novice and experienced cooks.
- Flavorful and Satisfying: The blend of Italian sausage, herbs, and spices creates a deliciously rich flavor that’s hard to resist.
- Versatile Meal: This soup works well for lunch or dinner and can be served with crusty bread or a fresh salad.
- Great for Meal Prep: Make a big batch to enjoy throughout the week; it tastes even better the next day!
- Nutrient-Packed: Loaded with vegetables and protein-rich beans, this soup is both filling and nutritious.
Tools and Preparation
To create your Tuscan White Bean Soup, gather some essential kitchen tools that will make your cooking experience smoother.
Essential Tools and Equipment
- Large Dutch oven
- Wooden spoon
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
Importance of Each Tool
- Large Dutch oven: Ideal for simmering soups evenly without burning. It retains heat well.
- Wooden spoon: Perfect for stirring without scratching your cookware. It also helps in breaking up the sausage evenly.
Ingredients
For this Tuscan White Bean Soup recipe, you will need:
- 1 pound mild Italian sausage
- 1 large yellow onion, diced (about 1 ½ cups)
- 3 ribs celery, diced
- 2 large carrots, sliced into rounds
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 4 cups (32 ounces) chicken broth
- 2 cans (15.5 ounces each) Great Northern beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 cups (60 g) fresh baby spinach
- ½ cup (119 g) heavy whipping cream
- parsley, chopped for garnish
How to Make Tuscan White Bean Soup
Step 1: Cook the Sausage
To a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat, add the sausage.
Cook until browned for about 10–15 minutes.
Use a wooden spoon to break up the meat while stirring occasionally.
Step 2: Add Vegetables
Reduce heat to medium. Add the onions, celery, and carrots.
Cook until the onions are softened, about 3–5 minutes.
Add garlic and cook for an additional minute.
Step 3: Flavor it Up
Add tomato paste, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper, and black pepper.
Stir all ingredients together to combine well.
Step 4: Simmer with Broth & Beans
Pour in the chicken broth and add the beans.
Bring everything to a simmer.
Continue simmering for 6–7 minutes until celery and carrots have softened.
Step 5: Finish with Cream & Spinach
Add heavy cream and spinach into the pot.
Cook until spinach is wilted, about 5 minutes.
Step 6: Serve It Up
Serve warm in bowls garnished with parsley. Enjoy your delicious Tuscan White Bean Soup!
How to Serve Tuscan White Bean Soup
Tuscan White Bean Soup is a comforting meal that can be enjoyed in various ways. From garnishes to sides, there are plenty of options to enhance this delightful dish.
Garnish Ideas
- Fresh Herbs: Add a sprinkle of chopped parsley or basil for a burst of freshness.
- Grated Parmesan: A dusting of Parmesan cheese adds a rich, salty flavor.
- Crusty Bread: Serve with slices of crusty bread for dipping and soaking up the soup.
Pairing Suggestions
- Salad: A crisp green salad complements the soup’s richness nicely.
- Cheese Toast: Top toasted bread with melted cheese for an extra indulgent side.
- Olive Oil Drizzle: A drizzle of high-quality olive oil brings out the flavors of the soup.
How to Perfect Tuscan White Bean Soup
To make your Tuscan White Bean Soup even better, consider these helpful tips.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh vegetables and herbs will elevate the flavor significantly.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste and adjust salt, pepper, and spices according to your preference.
- Let it Simmer Longer: Allowing the soup to simmer longer melds the flavors beautifully.
- Experiment with Beans: Try using different types of beans for varied texture and taste.
- Add Greens at the End: Stir in fresh spinach just before serving to keep its vibrant color and nutrients.
Best Side Dishes for Tuscan White Bean Soup
When enjoying Tuscan White Bean Soup, pairing it with complementary side dishes can create a satisfying meal. Here’s a list of great options.
- Garlic Bread: Crispy garlic bread is perfect for dipping into the soup.
- Caesar Salad: The creamy dressing and crunchy croutons balance the soup’s flavors well.
- Roasted Vegetables: Seasonal roasted veggies add color and nutrition to your meal.
- Bruschetta: Topped with tomatoes and basil, bruschetta brings a fresh touch.
- Pasta Salad: A light pasta salad with vinaigrette offers a delightful contrast.
- Stuffed Peppers: Savory stuffed peppers make for a hearty addition on the side.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Making Tuscan White Bean Soup is easy, but there are common mistakes that can affect the final dish. Here are some to watch out for:
- Skipping the browning step: Not browning the sausage properly can lead to a bland flavor. Take your time to brown it well for the best taste.
- Overcooking vegetables: Cooking vegetables too long can make them mushy. Aim for tenderness while retaining some crunch.
- Neglecting seasoning: Forgetting to season at various stages can leave your soup flat. Taste and adjust seasoning as you go.
- Using low-quality broth: A poor-quality broth affects the overall flavor. Choose a good chicken or vegetable broth for depth.
- Rushing the simmering process: Not allowing enough time for simmering can lead to underdeveloped flavors. Let it simmer gently for full flavor infusion.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Refrigerator Storage
- Store Tuscan White Bean Soup in an airtight container.
- It will last up to 4 days in the fridge.
Freezing Tuscan White Bean Soup
- Cool the soup completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers.
- Freeze for up to 3 months for best quality.
Reheating Tuscan White Bean Soup
- Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Place soup in an oven-safe dish, cover with foil, and heat until warmed through.
- Microwave: Transfer soup to a microwave-safe bowl. Heat on medium power, stirring occasionally, until hot.
- Stovetop: Pour soup into a pot and heat over medium-low heat, stirring frequently until warmed through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions about making and storing Tuscan White Bean Soup.
Can I make Tuscan White Bean Soup vegan?
Yes! You can substitute Italian sausage with plant-based sausage or mushrooms and use vegetable broth.
How do I thicken Tuscan White Bean Soup?
To thicken your soup, you can mash some of the beans or add a cornstarch slurry during cooking.
What other greens can I use in Tuscan White Bean Soup?
Besides spinach, kale or Swiss chard also work well for added nutrition and flavor.
How long does Tuscan White Bean Soup take to cook?
The entire cooking process takes about 30-40 minutes from start to finish.
Final Thoughts
Tuscan White Bean Soup is a comforting and nutritious meal that everyone will love. Its versatility allows you to customize ingredients based on what you have on hand. Whether you enjoy it fresh or as leftovers, this recipe is sure to become a staple in your home!
Tuscan White Bean Soup
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: Serves approximately 6 people 1x
Description
Tuscan White Bean Soup is a warm and hearty dish that captures the essence of Italian comfort food. This one-pot recipe combines savory Italian sausage, creamy white beans, fresh vegetables, and aromatic herbs to create a nutritious meal that’s perfect for chilly evenings or family gatherings. Not only is it simple to prepare, but it also tastes even better the next day, making it an excellent choice for meal prep. Serve this delicious soup with crusty bread or a crisp salad for a satisfying dining experience.
Ingredients
- 1 pound mild Italian sausage
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 3 ribs celery, diced
- 2 large carrots, sliced
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 cans Great Northern beans, drained
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
Instructions
- In a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat, brown the sausage for about 10–15 minutes. Use a wooden spoon to break it apart as it cooks.
- Reduce heat to medium and add the diced onion, celery, and carrots. Sauté until softened (3–5 minutes), then add minced garlic and cook for another minute.
- Stir in tomato paste and seasonings (Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper, black pepper).
- Pour in chicken broth and add the beans. Bring to a simmer and cook for 6–7 minutes until vegetables are tender.
- Finally, stir in heavy cream and spinach until wilted (about 5 minutes). Serve warm.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
