Winter White Bean and Italian Sausage Soup - Spark Recipes

 Winter White Bean and Italian Sausage Soup

This hearty soup is perfect for a chilly day. It's packed with flavor and easy to make.

Ingredients:

 * 1 tablespoon olive oil

 * 1 onion, chopped

 * 2 carrots, chopped

 * 2 celery stalks, chopped

 * 1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed

 * 4 cloves garlic, minced

 * 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained

 * 1 (14.5 ounce) can crushed tomatoes

 * 1 (15 ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed

 * 4 cups chicken broth

 * 1 teaspoon dried oregano

 * 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

 * 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

 * Salt and pepper to taste

 * Fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

 * Sauté vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery, and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.

 * Brown sausage: Add sausage to the pot and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned.

 * Add garlic: Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute more.

 * Combine ingredients: Add diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, cannellini beans, chicken broth, oregano, thyme, and red pepper flakes (if using) to the pot. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until flavors have melded.

 * Season and serve: Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.

Tips:

 * For a spicier soup, add a jalapeño or serrano pepper to the pot.

 * You can substitute vegetable broth for chicken broth to make this soup vegetarian.

 * Add other vegetables to the soup, such as chopped kale, spinach, or zucchini.

 * This soup can be made ahead of time and reheated.

Enjoy your warm and comforting Winter White Bean and Italian Sausage Soup!

Note: This recipe is adapted from a general "Winter White Bean and Italian Sausage Soup" recipe. Specific variations and instructions may differ depending on the source (like Spark Recipes).