Creamy Bean Soup With Sausage Recipe
If there’s a dish that feels like a warm hug in a bowl, it’s creamy bean soup with sausage. This soul-satisfying classic brings together the heartiness of white beans, the richness of spicy smoked sausage, and a creamy base that soothes and delights on chilly nights. Every spoonful is packed with smoky, savory goodness—all effortlessly made with pantry staples and a handful of fresh vegetables. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or craving cozy leftovers for lunch, creamy bean soup with sausage promises comfort and flavor in every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You don’t need a complicated shopping list to put together a fantastic creamy bean soup with sausage. Each of these kitchen MVPs plays a vital role in creating the deep, aromatic flavor, velvety texture, and irresistible color that everyone craves.
- Smoked sausage: Adds bold, savory flavor and satisfying bites; kielbasa or andouille work beautifully.
- Canned white beans: Creamy cannellini or Great Northern beans blend easily, delivering an earthy backbone.
- Onion: Sauteed until sweet and golden, onion is the base of your flavor profile.
- Carrots: Brings a pop of color and subtle sweetness that balances the savory elements.
- Celery: Adds crunch and an herbal layer to the soup.
- Garlic: One or two cloves make the aroma irresistible and add zing.
- Chicken broth: Use low-sodium so you can control the saltiness while amping up the soup’s depth.
- Heavy cream: Just a splash delivers the rich, silky texture you’ll love.
- Olive oil: For sautéing the veggies and sausage and developing flavor right from the start.
- Bay leaf: One little leaf perfumes the pot and rounds out every bite.
- Thyme: A sprinkle of dried or fresh thyme brings floral, peppery notes.
- Salt and black pepper: Essential for bringing all the flavors into balance—taste and tweak as needed!
- Fresh parsley: Optional but perfect as a bright, vibrant garnish.
How to Make Creamy Bean Soup With Sausage
Step 1: Brown the Sausage
Start by heating olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add your sliced smoked sausage in a single layer and let them cook without stirring for a few minutes so they develop that gorgeous caramelized edge. Once the sausage rounds are browned on both sides, scoop them out and set aside. This step builds a savory foundation for your creamy bean soup with sausage.
Step 2: Sauté the Vegetables
In the same pot, toss in your chopped onions, carrots, and celery. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt, and let everything soften and sizzle for about 5–7 minutes. Stir occasionally and scrape up any flavorful bits left by the sausage. When the vegetables turn tender and sweet, add the minced garlic and sauté for another minute until fragrant.
Step 3: Add Beans and Broth
Rinse and drain the canned beans, then pour them into the pot along with the chicken broth, bay leaf, and thyme. Stir it all together and bring the mixture to a simmer. Let it bubble gently for about 15 minutes to marry all those savory flavors and soften the beans.
Step 4: Blend for Creaminess
For the signature creamy texture, scoop out about a third of the soup and blend until silky smooth—either with a blender or an immersion blender. Stir the blended portion back into the pot. This natural way to thicken the soup makes each spoonful luxuriously creamy, without needing a complicated roux.
Step 5: Finish with Cream and Sausage
Return the browned sausage to the pot and pour in the heavy cream. Stir well and taste; adjust salt and black pepper as needed. Let everything simmer gently for another five minutes so the flavors can meld and the creamy bean soup with sausage becomes irresistibly rich. Discard the bay leaf just before serving.
How to Serve Creamy Bean Soup With Sausage
Garnishes
A handful of chopped fresh parsley or chives adds a crisp, fresh lift to each bowl. A sprinkle of cracked black pepper or a swirl of extra cream looks appetizing and invites everyone to dig in. For heat-lovers, a dash of hot sauce elevates the smoky sausage and creamy bean soup with sausage.
Side Dishes
A crusty wedge of sourdough or a warm baguette is utterly perfect for dunking into velvety soup. For a lighter meal, offer a crisp green salad tossed with lemony vinaigrette—its acidity makes every bite of creamy bean soup with sausage taste even more comforting.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving in bread bowls for a show-stopping, edible presentation. For dinner parties, ladle into small mugs or mini cocottes as an appetizer. Or, let the soup cool slightly and pour it over rice or roasted potatoes for an unexpected twist with the flavors of creamy bean soup with sausage.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Let any leftover creamy bean soup with sausage cool to room temperature, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge. The flavor gets even better by the next day, making for easy heat-and-eat lunches or speedy weeknight dinners.
Freezing
You can absolutely freeze creamy bean soup with sausage! Just omit the cream before freezing—add it in after reheating for best texture. Store portions in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags for up to 3 months.
Reheating
Gently rewarm the soup on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally until hot. If you’ve frozen the soup, thaw it overnight in the fridge first and add cream during reheating for that fresh, smooth finish.
FAQs
Can I make creamy bean soup with sausage dairy-free?
Absolutely! Swap out the heavy cream for a can of full-fat coconut milk or your favorite unsweetened plant-based cream for a luscious dairy-free alternative. The blended beans provide enough body to keep the soup thick and silky.
What type of sausage works best in this recipe?
Smoked sausages like kielbasa, andouille, or chorizo all work wonderfully, depending on how spicy you want your creamy bean soup with sausage. Even a mild Italian sausage adds great flavor—just make sure it’s precooked.
Can I use dried beans instead of canned?
Yes, of course! Just soak and cook your dried beans ahead of time until tender. Use about 1.5 cups of cooked beans for every can of beans called for in the recipe.
What is the best way to thicken the soup if I don’t want to blend?
If blending isn’t your thing, you can mash some of the beans with a potato masher right in the pot, or simmer the soup uncovered for a bit longer to let it naturally thicken.
Is creamy bean soup with sausage spicy?
Not necessarily—classic creamy bean soup with sausage is mild and family-friendly. For more heat, add a pinch of cayenne or choose a spicier sausage.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for an ultra-comforting meal that always wins rave reviews, give creamy bean soup with sausage a try. With its dreamy texture and smoky depth, it’s the kind of recipe you’ll want to whip up all season long. Grab a big pot and get cooking—your kitchen is about to smell amazing!
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Creamy Bean Soup With Sausage Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This creamy bean soup with sausage is a hearty and comforting dish that is perfect for a cozy night in. Loaded with savory sausage, tender beans, and a rich, creamy broth, this soup is sure to warm you up from the inside out.
Ingredients
Ingredients:
For the Soup:
- 1 lb Italian sausage
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 cans white beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Brown the Sausage: In a large pot, cook the Italian sausage over medium heat until browned, breaking it up into smaller pieces with a spoon.
- Add Vegetables: Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, diced carrots, and chopped celery to the pot. Cook until the vegetables are softened.
- Simmer the Soup: Pour in the chicken broth and bring the soup to a simmer. Add the white beans and let the soup cook for about 15-20 minutes.
- Finish with Cream: Stir in the heavy cream and season the soup with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- This soup can be easily customized with your favorite vegetables or herbs.
- For a lighter version, you can use turkey or chicken sausage instead of Italian sausage.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 920mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
