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Cozy Slow Cooker Tuscan White Bean & Sausage Soup

slow cooker tuscan white bean sausage soup - featured image
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A hearty and comforting slow cooker soup featuring Italian sausage, white beans, and fresh herbs, perfect for cozy winter nights. This easy recipe melds flavors beautifully with minimal prep and slow cooking.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound Italian sausage (sweet or spicy)
  • 2 cups dried cannellini or Great Northern beans, soaked overnight (or two 15-ounce cans, rinsed)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 medium carrots, diced
  • 2 stalks celery, diced
  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup crushed tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped (or ½ teaspoon dried)
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped (or ½ teaspoon dried)
  • 2 bay leaves
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 cups fresh spinach or kale (optional)
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Soak the dried beans overnight in plenty of cold water (at least 8 hours). Drain and rinse before cooking.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Crumble and brown the Italian sausage until caramelized and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Transfer sausage to the slow cooker, leaving drippings in the pan.
  3. In the same pan, sauté onion, carrots, and celery until softened and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic during the last minute to avoid burning. Transfer veggies to the slow cooker.
  4. Add soaked and drained beans, chicken broth, and crushed tomatoes to the slow cooker.
  5. Stir in rosemary, thyme, bay leaves, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
  6. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or until beans are tender and flavors meld. Alternatively, cook on high for 3-4 hours, checking beans for doneness.
  7. About 15 minutes before serving, stir in fresh spinach or kale and cook uncovered to let greens wilt.
  8. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes as needed. Remove bay leaves before serving.

Notes

Brown the sausage before adding to the slow cooker to enhance flavor and reduce greasiness. Add garlic last when sautéing veggies to avoid bitterness. Soaking beans overnight softens them and reduces cooking time but canned beans can be used for convenience. Add greens near the end to keep their color and texture. Skim excess fat if needed. If soup is too thick, add extra broth or water to loosen.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker soup, Tuscan soup, white bean soup, Italian sausage soup, winter soup, easy slow cooker recipe, cozy soup, hearty soup

Find it online: https://crispcraving.com/cozy-slow-cooker-tuscan-white-bean-and-sausage-soup-recipe-easy-and-perfect-for-winter/