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Hearty White Bean and Kale Crockpot Soup with Sausage

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A comforting and easy slow cooker soup featuring browned Italian sausage, tender white beans, and massaged kale, perfect for cozy meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound Italian sausage (sweet or mild), casing removed
  • 2 cans (15 oz each) white beans (cannellini or great northern), drained and rinsed
  • 4 cups chopped kale (about 100 g), stems removed
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 medium carrots, diced
  • 2 stalks celery, diced
  • 4 cups chicken broth (950 ml), low sodium if possible
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Remove casing from Italian sausage and crumble into a large skillet over medium heat. Cook about 7 minutes, breaking up with a spatula until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat if needed and set aside.
  2. In the same skillet, add 2 tablespoons olive oil. Sauté chopped onion, diced carrots, and diced celery for about 5 minutes until softened and onions are translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  3. Remove tough stems from kale and place leaves in a bowl with 1 tablespoon olive oil and a pinch of salt. Massage kale gently for 2-3 minutes until softened and darkened.
  4. Add browned sausage, sautéed vegetables, massaged kale, drained white beans, crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, and optional red pepper flakes to the crockpot. Stir gently to combine.
  5. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours.
  6. About 15 minutes before serving, taste and adjust salt and pepper. If soup is too thick, add a splash of broth or water. Stir and serve hot.

Notes

Brown the sausage separately to reduce greasiness and lock in flavor. Massage the kale with olive oil and salt before adding to keep it tender and reduce bitterness. Adjust seasoning near the end to avoid over-salting. Stir halfway through cooking for even heat distribution. For a brighter flavor, add a splash of balsamic vinegar or lemon juice before serving. If kale seems tough, add it in the last hour of cooking.

Nutrition

Keywords: white bean soup, kale soup, crockpot soup, sausage soup, slow cooker recipe, hearty soup, easy dinner, cozy meals

Find it online: https://fizzlefork.com/hearty-white-bean-and-kale-crockpot-soup-with-sausage-easy-recipe-for-cozy-meals/