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Creamy Hearty White Bean Sausage and Kale Crockpot Soup

creamy hearty white bean sausage and kale crockpot soup - featured image
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A comforting and nourishing slow-cooked soup featuring Italian sausage, white beans, and kale in a creamy broth, perfect for cozy winter meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound Italian sausage, mild or spicy, casing removed
  • 3 cans (15 oz each) white beans (cannellini or great northern), rinsed and drained
  • 4 cups chopped kale, stems removed (about 1 bunch)
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 cups low sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half (optional but recommended)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano (or Italian seasoning blend)
  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sausage, breaking it up with a spatula, and cook for 5-7 minutes until browned and cooked through. Transfer to the crockpot.
  2. In the same skillet, sauté onion for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Add to the crockpot.
  3. Add rinsed white beans and chopped kale to the crockpot on top of the sausage and aromatics.
  4. Sprinkle thyme, oregano, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper over the ingredients. Pour in chicken broth.
  5. Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours until kale is tender but still bright green.
  6. About 30 minutes before serving, use an immersion blender to puree about one-third of the soup in the crockpot to thicken the broth. Alternatively, puree some soup in a regular blender and stir back in.
  7. Stir in heavy cream or half-and-half. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
  8. Serve hot, optionally garnished with freshly cracked black pepper or grated Parmesan.

Notes

Brown the sausage before adding to the crockpot to develop flavor. Blend only about one-third of the soup to keep texture contrast. If soup is too thick, add more broth or water before serving. For dairy-free, substitute cream with coconut milk or plant-based alternatives. Check sausage ingredients for gluten-free compliance.

Nutrition

Keywords: white bean soup, sausage soup, kale soup, crockpot soup, slow cooker soup, creamy soup, winter soup, hearty soup, easy soup recipe

Find it online: https://zorbmeal.com/creamy-hearty-white-bean-sausage-and-kale-crockpot-soup-recipe-easy-and-perfect-for-winter/