Sausage White Bean Soup

This sausage white bean soup is cozy, warming and utterly delicious. It’s made extra creamy by blending some of the beans and adding just a splash of half and half for a lighter yet extra satisfying bowl of soup.

📝 Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 lb (450 g) reduced-fat sausages
• 1 large onion, diced
• 1 medium carrot, diced
• 2 celery ribs, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon red chili flakes
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 3 cans (14 oz / 400 g can) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 5 cups (1.25 litres) chicken stock
• 2 cups (100 g) baby spinach
• 1/2 cup (100 ml) half and half (single cream)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1Heat the olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed...: Heat the olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot, such as a Dutch oven, and add the sausages. Cook for 4-5 minutes over medium-high heat, breaking it up with your spoon as you go. Remove the sausage from the pot with a slotted spoon and set it aside.
2. 2In the same pot, add the onion, carrot...: In the same pot, add the onion, carrot and celery and cook for 5-6 minutes over medium heat or until softened.
3. 3Stir in the garlic, red chili flakes and...: Stir in the garlic, red chili flakes and Italian seasoning and continue to cook for another minute.
4. 4Add the beans and chicken stock, bring to...: Add the beans and chicken stock, bring to a boil, then lower the heat, cover the pot and simmer for 10 minutes.
5. 5Use a hand blender to blend about half...: Use a hand blender to blend about half of the beans. About 3-4 blitzes should be enough to make the soup creamy and still have some beans whole for texture.
6. 6Stir in the baby spinach, simmer for another...: Stir in the baby spinach, simmer for another 1-2 minutes, then add the half and half (single cream). Add the cooked sausage to the pot and stir to combine.
7. 7Season to taste and serve immediately, topped with...: Season to taste and serve immediately, topped with freshly grated Parmesan if you like.