Sausage, White Bean, and Spinach Soup

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Healthy Sausage, White Bean, and Spinach Soup is a delicious, hearty soup made with turkey sausage, white beans, tomatoes, and spinach. It's full of flavor, comforting, and great for meal prep.

345 CAL 36g CARBS 10g FAT 28g PROTEIN 4
9 Comments

When the weather gets cold, I love to meal prep a huge batch of hearty soup for lunches or quick dinners. This Sausage, White Bean, and Spinach Soup is always at the top of the list since it's super easy to make and surprisingly nutritious with protein-rich lean ground turkey sausage, fiber-filled white beans, and tons of veggies. It will warm you up and keep you full.

The secret to building flavor in this soup is the sausage. Sausage is a great shortcut for making rich, delicious soup since it's already packed with spices. It means you don't need lots of extra ingredients. 

The rest of the soup is easy to throw together. Cook the sausage with onions, carrots, celery, and garlic.  Then add diced tomatoes, creamy white beans, and baby spinach. Let everything cook for 30 minutes and dinner is done. 

If you have time I recommend making it a couple of days ahead since the flavors only get better with time. Served with a spring mix salad or some homemade breadsticks, it's a perfect meal. 

Why You'll Love Sausage White Bean Soup

  • Hearty and nutritious: While many healthy soups leave you hungry, this soup is incredibly filling and very nutritious. With 28 grams of protein and 8 grams of fiber, it will keep you full and satisfied.
  • Great for meal prep: This soup tastes even better after a night in the fridge, making it perfect for meal prep. Make a big batch on the weekend and eat it all week for lunch or dinner.
  • Easy to make: This soup comes together in just 30 minutes with minimal ingredients!

Looking for more hearty soups? Don't miss this easy Healthy Taco Soup, Cabbage Soup, and Minestrone Soup.

Ingredients for sausage, white bean, and spinach soup including ground sausage, white beans, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, tomato sauce, spinach, and chicken broth.

Key Ingredients and Substitutions

Here is everything you need to make this delicious sausage soup.

  • Ground sausage: Make this soup with any type of ground sausage you like including turkey sausage, pork sausage, chicken sausage, or vegetarian sausage. While I normally make it with ground sausage, sliced sausage links also work.
  • Onions, carrots, celery, and garlic: This forms the base of the soup. Feel free to sneak in some extra veggies. Bell peppers, kale, leeks, shallots, or zucchini would all be delicious.
  • White beans: This soup can be made with any type of white bean including cannellini beans, navy beans, or great northern beans. You could also use chickpeas, black beans, pinto beans, or even lentils. 
  • Diced tomatoes: Canned diced tomatoes add flavor to the broth. Use any type you like. It's delicious with Italian diced tomatoes, roasted diced tomatoes, and spicy diced tomatoes with green chilies. Tomato puree also works great.
  • Spinach: Add a few big handfuls of baby spinach to the soup right before it's done. You can swap in kale, just saute it with the other veggies so it has time to soften and wilt. You could also add other veggies like frozen peas, corn, green beans, zucchini, cauliflower, or broccoli. Add them to the simmering soup ten minutes before serving.
  • Chicken broth: We love using chicken broth in this soup but you could swap in vegetable broth as well. 
  • Spices: Adding oregano and bay leaf helps to add some extra flavor to this soup. You could also add Italian seasoning, dried basil, red pepper flakes, dried sage, or any other spices you like. 
  • Salt and pepper: Salt is extremely important to make sure your soup is flavorful. Add kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. The amount needed will depend on the saltiness of the sausage and chicken broth. 
  • Garnish: Finish this soup with fresh chopped parsley, fresh basil, Parmesan cheese, baked croutons, or a dollop of sour cream.

Sausage and white bean soup with spinach served in tow bowls with fresh parsley.

How to Make Sausage, White Bean, and Spinach Soup

This soup couldn't be easier to make and comes together in just 30 minutes.

1. Brown the sausage

Start by browning the sausage in a Dutch oven or large soup pot until it is no longer pink. If your sausage is in the casing, you will need to slice the casing with a sharp knife and remove the sausage from the casing. 

If you are using precooked sausage, slice it into half moons and brown it in the pan until it is golden brown on each side. 

2. Add the aromatics

Once the sausage is mostly cooked through, add the carrots, celery, onion, and minced garlic cloves. Cook this until the vegetables begin to soften. If you are adding kale or another hearty green to the soup, add it here as well so it has time to soften.

3. Simmer and add spinach

Once the vegetables are softened, add the drained white beans, diced tomatoes with the juice, chicken broth, bay leaf, and oregano. Bring everything to a simmer and cook for about 20 minutes for the flavors to deepen and combine. 

Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning if needed. Then stir in the fresh spinach and cook for about one minute until it is wilted. 

Make it in the Slow Cooker

It's really easy to convert this recipe into a slow cooker meal. Just follow steps one and two from the directions below, browning the sausage and cooking the veggies until softened. Then add those to the slow cooker with the remaining ingredients, except for the spinach. Cook on low for 4-6 hours. Add the spinach during the last ten minutes of cooking, stirring it in until it wilts but remains bright green.

Make Spicy Sausage Soup

If you love spicy, you can quickly transform this into a spicy sausage soup by using just a few ingredients you already have at home. The easiest option is to add some red pepper flakes to the olive oil before browning the sausage. Let them cook for about 30 seconds in the oil and then add the sausage. This will add a nice spicy flavor to the soup.

You could also add some freshly chopped poblano or jalapeno peppers to the onions, carrots, and celery. Lastly, you could toss in some diced green chilies for a milder heat or choose a spicy can of diced tomatoes.

How to Make Creamy Sausage and White Bean Soup

If you are craving a creamy soup, there are a few yummy ways to add a creamy element. The most common would be to add about 1/2 cup of half and half (regular or fat-free) or heavy cream. Stir this in about 5 minutes before the soup is finished cooking.

Another option is canned nonfat evaporated milk. This adds the same creamy consistency but without the added fat found in half and half.

For a, slightly tangy flavor, you could add some reduced-fat cream cheese, sour cream, or Greek yogurt. Make sure to add it when the soup is hot and stir well until it melts into the soup.

For added fiber and nutrients, use extra canned beans to add creaminess without needed dairy. Just add a can of drained white beans to a blender with about 1/2 cup of chicken broth. Blend until smooth and then stir into the soup. Or stir in a can of refried beans. 

White bean, sausage, and spinach soup in a bowl with tomato broth and fresh parsley..

Recipe Variations and Ideas

This recipe is versatile and can be made with different proteins, beans, or veggies.

  • Protein: If you want to make it with another protein like chicken or beef, make sure to bump up the spices so the soup still has plenty of flavor. I like to use this Italian sausage seasoning when I use plain ground turkey, chicken, or beef. Also if you don't like ground meat in the soup, you could use sliced chicken or turkey sausage links. You could also use vegetarian crumbles or sliced vegetarian sausage links for a meatless option.
  • Beans and Legumes: I used white beans in the soup because I love how they pair with sausage but you could swap in chickpeas, black beans, or any other kind of bean you like. You could also use lentils. If you are using a canned or cooked lentil, follow the directions as written. If you are using dry lentils, you will need to add extra broth.
  • Vegetables: Feel free to swap in a heartier green like kale or chard for the spinach. They do take longer to cook, so you will want to add them in as soon as the soup is simmering. You could also add in some cauliflower, zucchini, summer squash, or green beans for even more veggie goodness. 
  • Pasta: I have gotten a lot of questions about adding pasta to the soup. You can add pasta in addition to the beans or instead of the beans. Add the pasta during the last 10 minutes of cooking so it doesn't overcook. Many people have reported that they turned this into a sausage tortellini soup by adding some store-bought tortellini with great results.

Leftovers, Storage, and Freezing

Sausage and white bean soup will last about 4-5 days in the fridge. It also freezes great and will last about 3-4 months in the freezer. Consider freezing it in individual-size portions for quick lunches on the go. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the most common questions about making this sausage and bean soup.

If you prefer a thicker sausage and bean soup, blend one can of white beans with 1/2 cup of chicken broth. Add this to the soup to create a thick, creamy broth. 

This white bean and sausage soup works great with kale instead of spinach. Remove the stems from the kale and chop it into smaller pieces. Then saute the kale at the same time as the carrots, celery, and onion so it has time to soften.

Sausage and bean soup with spinach, carrots, onions, celery, and garlic served in a bowl.
The Recipe
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Sausage, White Bean, and Spinach Soup

345 CAL 36g CARBS 10g FAT 28g PROTEIN 4
PREP TIME: 5 Min
COOK TIME: 29 Min
TOTAL TIME: 34 Min
9 Comments
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Ingredients

US METRICS
  • 2 tsp. olive oil
  • 3/4 lb. lean turkey sausage (or sliced chicken sausage)
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 carrots, chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 14 oz. canned white beans, rinsed and drained
  • 14 oz. canned diced Italian tomatoes (undrained)
  • 2 cups low sodium chicken broth
  • 1/2 tsp. oregano
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 4 cups spinach, chopped
  • Salt and pepper

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Instructions

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1

Heat the olive oil over medium high heat. Add the sausage and cook for 5-7 minutes until browned.

2

Add the onion, carrots, celery, and garlic. Cook for 4-6 minutes until onion begins to become translucent.

3

Add the white beans, diced tomatoes with juice, chicken broth, bay leaf, and oregano. Bring to a simmer and simmer covered for 20 minutes.

4

Add the spinach and stir until wilted. Taste and season with salt and pepper.

Equipment

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Nutritional Facts
Serving Size: 1.5-2 cups
Amount Per Serving
Calories 345
Calories from Fat 93
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 10g
16%
Saturated Fat 2g
11%
Monounsaturated Fat 0g
0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
0%
Cholesterol 64mg
21%
Sodium 753mg
33%
Total Carbohydrate 36g
12%
Dietary Fiber 8g
33%
Sugars 6g
Protein 28g

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

The Nutritional Values provided are estimates only and may vary based on the preparation method.

Notes

If you make this soup with pre-cooked sausage, slice it into half moons and cook until lightly browned. You may need some extra seasoning since precooked sausage doesn't add as much flavor to the broth.

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About the author Meet Kristen McCaffrey
Hi, I’m the cookbook author, recipe developer, and food enthusiast behind Slender Kitchen. I am obsessed with making healthy food that is easy to prepare and absolutely delicious. Meal planning is my secret weapon and I hope I can make meal time easier for you with our tried and tested recipes and foolproof meal plans. Learn More
9 Comments
On Sausage, White Bean, and Spinach Soup
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Susan
March 4, 2024 - 00:30
What is the serving size?
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March 4, 2024 - 07:56
The serving size is between 1.5 - 2 cups. Hope you enjoy it!
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Laurie S.
June 6, 2023 - 20:47
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5
This recipe is absolutely delicious! The flavor is so good, it’s hard not to get a second helping. I added pepper flakes as suggested, and an extra can of red kidney beans along with the cannellini. I have shared this recipe with many who have also loved it!
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Hera
February 7, 2023 - 14:27
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5
Great recipe!!!
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NorCal Ellen
January 18, 2023 - 15:04
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5
Made this using the suggested Turkey Sausage and it was delicious. I also added one extra can of diced tomatoes, but the kind that includes diced green chilies; really added some depth of flavor without being spicy hot. I’ll be making this soup again and again, thanks!
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HiloFoodie
December 20, 2021 - 16:40
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5
This was really easy to make. I sub'd some of the carrots with orange bell pepper that needed using, didn't drain the beans and cut back on the broth because the sausage I used was a little on the salty side. Delicious the next day too!
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Robin M
April 4, 2020 - 03:37
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5
Recently tried this . I have made it twice now in two weeks . We love it . I love that it is 4 servings . Perfect for our family of two for two days .
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Liz
November 14, 2019 - 17:19
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5
made this twice. I add red pepper flakes
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Robin Ciochetty
January 27, 2017 - 18:48
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5
Easy and Delicious!
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