Served alongside a leafy green salad and a hunk of crusty bread, Escarole and White Bean Soup with Italian Sausage is hearty enough for dinner yet easy enough for lunch!
The damp snaps of cold these days seem to be accumulating faster than the crunchy fallen leaves on our front yard. Have you been feeling the need for soup in all its cozy glory, too? Is there anything better than a big bowl of hot soup on a chilly day? I guess only if it’s coupled with a leafy green salad and loaf of crusty bread. Am I right?
This dish, like my greens & beans, has a feel of yesteryear. It’s the kind of dish that my great-great-great grandmothers would have served with pride…the ultimate paisano (peasant) food!
INGREDIENTS FOR ESCAROLE & WHITE BEAN SOUP WITH ITALIAN SAUSAGE:
- olive oil
- medium onion, chopped
- celery, finely chopped
- garlic cloves, minced
- red pepper flakes (optional)
- Italian sweet sausage, casing removed
- escarole, roughly chopped
- low sodium beef, vegetable or chicken stock (I used beef)
- salt & pepper
- Great Northern beans, drained and rinsed (or you could substitute with Navy or Cannellini beans)
- 1 lemon
- Freshly grated Parm, for serving
INSTRUCTIONS:
In a large pot over medium heat, heat olive oil.
Add onion and celery. Cook until slightly soft, about 8 minutes.
Next, add garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook until fragrant. About 1 minute.
Add sausage. Using a wooden spoon, break up the sausage and cook until browned.
Add escarole and cook until wilted, 1 – 2 minutes.
Season with salt and pepper.
Add stock and beans to the pot. Increase heat to medium-high. Bring to a boil. Stirring occasionally, mash some of the beans to thicken the soup.
Reduce heat. Simmer for 15 minutes. Add fresh lemon juice and grated Parm…
Garnish with shaved Parmesan.
Fortifying and warm, simple and delicious. This soup will keep you warm all winter long!
Buon Appetito!
SOUP’S ON:
Escarole and White Bean Soup with Italian Sausage
Ingredients
4 Tbsp. olive oil, divided
1 medium onion, chopped
2 stalks celery, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes (optional)
1 lb. Italian sweet sausage, casing removed
1 head escarole, about 16 oz., roughly chopped
6 cups low sodium beef, vegetable or chicken stock (I used beef)
salt & pepper
2 (15 oz.) cans Great Northern beans, drained and rinsed
Juice of 1 lemon
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan
Parmesan for serving
Instructions
In a large pot over medium heat, heat 3 Tbsp. olive oil.
Add onion and celery. Cook until slightly soft, about 8 minutes.
Next, add garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook until fragrant. About 1 minute.
Add remaining olive oil and sausage. Using a wooden spoon, break up the sausage and cook until browned.
Add escarole and cook until wilted, 1 – 2 minutes.
Season with salt and pepper.
Add stock and beans to the pot. Increase heat to medium-high. Bring to a boil. Stirring occasionally, mash some of the beans to thicken the soup.
Reduce heat. Simmer for 15 minutes. Add fresh lemon juice.
Garnish with Parmesan.
Notes
You can substitute Cannellini or Navy beans for the Great Northern beans.
Holly Lynn says
This was the recipe I was searching for!! Please make this as it is written! 5 stars all around!!! 👏
Annie says
Music to my ears!! Thank you, Holly!
GMJ says
This is a very good soup just as written. So glad you posted it !! Serve with a salad and maybe some crusty bread for a hearty dinner.
Kelly | Foodtasia says
Such a cozy and hearty soup, Annie! Wonderful flavors!
Annie says
Bring on the cozy! Thanks, Kelly!
Katherine | Love In My Oven says
This is just a festival of flavors! When I put sausage in a soup I get zero complaints, haha! I will be trying this one asap!
Annie says
‘Festival of flavors’…oh yeah!! Enjoy, my friend!
Marissa says
This is exactly the kind of hearty, delicious soup that we love to eat all through the cold months. So excited to give this beauty a try, Annie! Thank you.
Annie says
I can’t keep enough in the fridge! Thanks, Marissa!
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
This looks super delicious Annie. I love the entire ingredient list. Can’t wait to make a pot!
Annie says
It’s definitely a family favorite! Enjoy!!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers says
Just lovely! We had our first snowfall last night (it won’t stay, but still!). So soup is on my mind, for sure. Loving everything about this one 🙂
Annie says
Thanks, Jennifer! Yep – we had our first snow last night, too… Ready or not – here it comes! Soup helps!! 🙂
Chef Mimi says
This is something I could eat NOW. It’s been a rough week, and this soup is perfection.
Annie says
Yep – this will cure most ills! I hope this week is better for you, my dear!