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Hearty Italian Sausage and Kale Soup

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A quick and easy comforting soup featuring Italian sausage, kale, and cannellini beans, perfect for cozy dinners and family gatherings.

Ingredients

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  • 1 pound Italian sausage, mild or spicy, casing removed
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 4 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 medium carrots, sliced thin
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 6 cups chicken broth, preferably low sodium
  • 2 cans (15 oz each) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 bunch kale (about 6 cups chopped), tough stems removed and leaves chopped
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Freshly grated Parmesan cheese for serving (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the ingredients: Chop the onion, mince the garlic, slice the carrots and celery, and chop the kale (about 6 cups). Remove the sausage from its casing and crumble it into bite-sized pieces. This should take about 10 minutes.
  2. Brown the sausage: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in your Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the crumbled Italian sausage and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally until browned and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to remove the sausage to a bowl, leaving the flavorful drippings in the pot.
  3. Sauté the vegetables: In the same pot, add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes until softened and fragrant. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking for another 1-2 minutes. Be careful not to let the garlic burn—if you smell a bitter aroma, lower the heat.
  4. Add broth and beans: Pour in 6 cups (1.4 liters) of chicken broth and stir in the drained cannellini beans. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to a simmer.
  5. Simmer the soup: Return the browned sausage to the pot along with 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning. Let everything simmer uncovered for 15 minutes to marry the flavors.
  6. Add the kale: Stir in the chopped kale and cook for an additional 5-7 minutes until the kale is tender but still bright green. Taste the broth and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to your liking.
  7. Final touches: Turn off the heat and let the soup sit for a few minutes to thicken slightly. Serve hot with a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese on top, if desired.

Notes

To save time, prep veggies the night before or use pre-chopped kale. Avoid overcooking kale to keep it vibrant and chewy. For thicker soup, mash some cannellini beans before adding kale. Adjust salt at the end to avoid over-salting. A splash of lemon juice brightens the flavor before serving.

Nutrition

Keywords: Italian sausage soup, kale soup, hearty soup, comfort food, easy soup recipe, cannellini beans, cozy dinner

Find it online: https://fizzlefork.com/hearty-italian-sausage-and-kale-soup-recipe-easy-cozy-comfort-bowl/