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Sausage, Bean, & Kale Soup

Servings 6

Ingredients
  

  • 3-4 large carrots, chopped  (about 2 cups)
  • 4 celery stalks, chopped (about 2 cups)
  • 1  large onion, chopped
  • 1 large bunch kale, stems removed and torn into medium pieces
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1  bay leaf
  • 1 tsp  fresh cracked pepper
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 2 tbsp  olive oil
  • 1 1/2 qt  low sodium chicken stock
  • 1 lb  Italian chicken sausage  (removed from casings into small pieces)
  • 1 cup cooked or 1, 15 oz can drained white beans (cannellini, navy, great northern, etc)
  • 1" of parmesan rind  (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Place a stockpot or large dutch oven over medium-high heat and add the olive oil.
  • Once shimmering, add the sausage, and red pepper flakes stirring occasionally until browned. 
  • Transfer sausage to a plate using a slotted spoon and set aside.
  • Add the carrots, celery, onion and a pinch of salt and cook until carrots are just beginning to soften. 
  • Mix the garlic in with the vegetables and cook until fragrant. Next, add the stock, bay leaf, and parmesan rind. Bring to a boil.
  • Once boiling, reduce heat to a simmer and cook until vegetables are softened to your liking.
  • Finally, add the beans, sausage, and kale to the pot and simmer for another 5-10 mins.
  • Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Notes

Broth-based soups are super easy to modify! Don’t feel tied down to the listed ingredients for your soup. Even changing just a few ingredients can alter the flavors.
Have you ever noticed that carrots, celery, and onion are the base for many popular dishes? This delicious trio actually has a French name: Mirepoix (meer-eh-pwah) and is the base of many classic French dishes. Check out this article about these “humble beginnings” and ways to mix it up.
Other Substitutions:
Mustard Greens or Chard instead of Kale
Pork Sausage instead of Chicken Sausage
Cranberry, Flageolet, Vaquero, etc. Beans for White Beans