Name: Bean and Sausage Soup: 7 Heartwarming Variations to Try Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb sausage; 2 cups beans (canned or cooked); 1 onion, chopped; 2 carrots, diced; 2 celery stalks, diced; 4 cups chicken broth; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tsp thyme; Salt and pepper to taste

Description

This hearty Bean and Sausage Soup is a comforting and flavorful dish perfect for any season. It combines savory browned sausage with tender beans and a medley of vegetables simmered in a fragrant broth seasoned with thyme and garlic. Simple to prepare in one pot, this soup offers a satisfying meal that warms the soul and can easily be customized with variations to suit your taste.

Ingredients

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Soup Ingredients

1 lb sausage
2 cups beans (canned or cooked)
1 onion, chopped
2 carrots, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
4 cups chicken broth
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp thyme
Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

Brown the Sausage: Heat a large pot over medium heat and add the sausage. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, which usually takes about 5 to 7 minutes.
Sauté Vegetables: Add the chopped onion, diced carrots, and celery to the pot with the sausage. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have softened and become fragrant.
Add Garlic and Thyme: Stir in the minced garlic and thyme, cooking for an additional 1 minute to release their flavors without burning the garlic.
Add Beans and Broth: Pour in the beans and chicken broth. Increase the heat to bring the soup to a rolling boil.
Simmer the Soup: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let the soup simmer gently for 20 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld together and the vegetables to fully soften.
Season and Serve: Taste the soup and season with salt and pepper as desired. Serve hot, garnished if preferred with fresh herbs or a sprinkle of grated cheese.

Notes

You can use any type of beans you prefer, such as cannellini, kidney, or black beans.
For a spicier variation, add red chili flakes or use spicy sausage.
Vegetarians can substitute the sausage with smoked tofu or omit it altogether and use vegetable broth.
Leftover soup can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
Serving the soup with crusty bread or a side salad makes a complete meal.