Packed full of vegetables, this superhearty soup gets a delicious boost from fresh fennel. Prep tip: Stores well in the fridge for easy reheating. If you use a slow cooker, toss everything together except the cabbage, kale, beans, and tomatoes; add those during the last 30-45 minutes of cooking. Serving tip: Serve with rustic bread and hot cranberry-grape juice laced with nutmeg.
Kale, Bean, and Italian Sausage Soup
Ingredients
- 1 20-ounce package precooked, all-natural Italian chicken or turkey sausage sliced diagonally
- 1 cup chopped red onion
- 1 stalk celery with leaves sliced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 5 cups low-sodium stock or broth (chicken, beef, or a mixture)
- 1 1/2 cups peeled, cubed potatoes (about 2 small potatoes)
- 1 cup peeled, chopped carrots
- 1 small fennel bulb, chopped - about 7 ounces
- 1/2 teaspoon dried fennel seed
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 4 cups thinly sliced green cabbage
- 3 cups thinly sliced kale leaves tough center stems removed
- 1 15-ounce can cannellini beans rinsed and drained
- 1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes in juice
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese for garnish
- 1/4 cup sliced fresh basil leaves optional
Instructions
- Brown sausage in a Dutch oven or large saucepan for 5 minutes. Add onion, celery, and garlic and sauté for 5 minutes more. Drain any fat from pot. Add stock or broth, potatoes, carrots, fennel, fennel seed, Italian seasoning, and salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer, covered, for 35-40 minutes or until vegetables are nearly tender.
- Stir in cabbage, kale, beans, and tomatoes. Return to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer 10-15 minutes more. Ladle into bowls and serve with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil, if using.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition Facts
Kale, Bean, and Italian Sausage Soup
Amount Per Serving
Calories 293
% Daily Value*
Cholesterol 46mg
15%
Sodium 603mg
25%
Total Carbohydrates 21g
7%
Dietary Fiber 5g
20%
Protein 15g
30%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
PER SERVING: 293 cal, 53% fat cal, 18g fat, 6g sat fat, 46mg chol, 15g protein, 21g carb, 5g fiber, 603mg sodium