This flavorful Italian sausage white bean soup is loaded with bacon, plenty of tasty sausage pieces, spinach, and oodles of tender cannellini beans.
This soup is simple to make and doesn't use a ton of ingredients. It's also dairy-free, so if you're looking for a soup that's super comforting without any added milk or cream, you've found the right recipe. 🙂
I wanted to make a hearty white bean soup since it's been a long time since I've made one for this website (the last one was my Ham and White Bean Soup back in 2017... yowza). This one ended up reminding me a lot of Zuppa Toscana, actually (the famous Olive Garden soup with sausage, bacon, kale, and potatoes). Chances are that you will like this soup if you like that one!
Love white beans? Try my Turkey White Bean Chili or this Sun-dried Tomato and Basil White Bean Dip.
Recipe notes & tips:
- You could add a diced potato or two to this soup if you wish. I didn't find it necessary, but I think it would make it even heartier.
- Want some heat? Try hot Italian sausage or adding some red pepper flakes. I made the soup in the photos with Johnsonville Hot Italian Sausages.
- Don't want to use spinach? Try kale or Swiss Chard.
- You can use some freshly chopped rosemary if you have some on-hand vs. the dried stuff.
- You could add a splash of cream to this soup if you want to make it even richer (try 1/2 cup to start).
- If you're making a big batch to freeze, I would suggest adding the spinach after you thaw it/just before serving.
- The beans will continue to release starch as the soup cools, so you may need to add some more broth to leftovers when you're reheating it.
- I use this Oster hand blender for this recipe. I like how the plastic doesn't scratch my pot.
- This recipe would be easy to adapt for the Instant Pot. I'd sauté the ingredients as instructed, blend the beans right in the pot, cook it on high pressure for 8 minutes, then add the spinach in after you release the pressure. You may need to thin the soup out with extra broth if needed.
More tasty recipes with Italian sausage:
Will you make this Italian sausage white bean soup? Questions? Talk to me in the comments below!
Italian Sausage White Bean Soup
Ingredients
- 17.6 ounces (500g) Italian sausages crumbled
- 4 strips bacon cut into small pieces
- 1/2 medium onion chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 4 (14 fluid ounce) cans white beans (cannellini) drained
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 dash Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 2 small carrots peeled & chopped small
- 2 cups (packed) fresh baby spinach
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Take the sausage meat out of its casings and crumble it into a large soup pot, along with the bacon (I cut it up using kitchen shears).
- Cook over medium-high heat for 10-12 minutes or until the sausage and bacon are somewhat crispy/the fat has been rendered out. Meanwhile, prep the other ingredients.
- Transfer the sausage and bacon to a plate (I don't line it with paper towel because the extra fat adds more flavor, but you can if you want). Leave about 2 tablespoons of fat in the pot (spoon any excess out).
- Add the onion to the pot and sauté it for 3-5 minutes or until it's softened and starting to lightly brown.
- Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Add the beans, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, and rosemary. Give it a good stir and scrape up any brown bits off the bottom of the pot.
- Take the pot off the stove. Using an immersion/stick blender, purée the soup. I like to leave some beans whole. The soup will thicken a bit more as it cooks, but the thickness/texture will be similar to what it is after you do this part, so keep that in mind. If you don't have a stick blender, transfer a ladle or two of beans to a regular blender, or use a potato masher or fork for a more rustic texture.
- Return the sausage and bacon to the pot and add in the chopped carrots as well. Increase the heat to high. Once the soup starts to boil, cover the pot with the lid slightly ajar and reduce the heat so it's simmering. Cook for 15-20 minutes or until the carrots have softened and the soup has thickened up a bit more.
- Stir in the spinach and let it wilt for a minute or two. Taste and season with salt & pepper as needed. Serve immediately.
Notes
- I used a 5-pack of Johnsonville sausages for this recipe. Anything in the ballpark weight-wise will work. Or use ground sausage meat to skip the step of taking it out of the casings.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth if sensitive to salt. Bacon and sausages can be fairly salty so you probably won't need to add much extra salt to this soup.
- Instant Pot method: sauté the ingredients as instructed, blend the beans right in the pot, cook it on high pressure for 8 minutes, then add the spinach in after you release the pressure. If needed, add extra broth to thin the soup out.
- Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and Salt & Lavender makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information.
Ezachos says
My family and I loved this! Next time I make it, I’ll watch it more carefully when it’s simmering toward the end of the recipe, it scorched a tiny bit, I think because the soup was so bean-starchy. It also didn’t look nearly as vibrant as the picture, kind of a bummer. But yummy nonetheless!
Natasha says
I'm glad you enjoyed it! Definitely the taste that matters haha.
Lauren says
I struggle to make soups that aren't bland but this is full of flavor from the sausage and bacon and was super easy and fast to make. I followed the recipe as written (which I usually don't do) and it is perfect!
Natasha says
Wonderful!! So happy to hear that, Lauren.
Diana says
Do you have any tips on adapting this recipe for the slow cooker?
Natasha says
Hi! I'd sauté the sausage and bacon in a skillet (add the onions and garlic as the recipe indicates) then add it to the slow cooker along with everything except the spinach. 3-4 hours on high or 6-8 on low. Do the mashing the beans bit and then add the spinach in during the last 20-30 minutes or so to wilt. You *could* skip the bacon and just add the crumbled raw sausage into the Crockpot along with the garlic and onions and it'll still cook, but it may not be quite as flavorful.
Madeline says
Yum! I made this for dinner last night - it was hearty, delicious and just what I was craving on a cold night. I made a few modifications: I skipped the bacon and used 2 cans of beans instead of 4 (this was because I used a potato masher and didn't blend/mash them up as much). I try a lot of recipes that I see on Pinterest and this one wins the "make it again" award!
Natasha says
Wonderful! I'm glad you liked it and the changes worked out. 🙂
Dee says
Good recipe! I didnt use bacon bcause I thought it wasnt necessary with sausage. I didnt use carrots because I didnt have them. Swapped in kale for spinach, holds up better to me for leftovers. But good flavor and filling.
Natasha says
Glad you liked it!
YtheWait says
Wonderful!
Olivia says
So smokey and delicious! I’m not one to normally get full from soup, but a bowl of this one actually filled me up. I can definitely see this becoming a cold-month comfort food 🙂
Natasha says
Same here!! I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for commenting!
Mary-Claire says
I made this for guests, using spicy sausage, and EVERYONE wanted the recipe!! It was seriously so delicious with crusty bread and wine!! Comfort in a bowl!!
I found the leftovers had a bit too much heat so next time I will only use half hot Italian sausage and half mild! I will also be doubling it and putting some in the freezer!! I only wish I had taken a photo-but it looked just like it does in this post!! Do yourself a favour and make this!!! It is THAT GOOD!!
Natasha says
That's awesome!! I'm so happy that it was a hit. Thanks for your stellar review! 🙂
Mandy says
Made this soup tonight, as usual did not disappoint. Will definately make again. Thank you, love your recipies.
Natasha says
Wonderful! Thank you for commenting! 🙂
Kevin says
I can't wait to try this recipe..!!
Natasha says
Enjoy!!