This creamy bean soup with sausage is a hearty and flavorful dish that’s quick and easy to make, ready in just 30 minutes. It’s made with cannellini beans, Italian sausage, and a rich, savory broth, enhanced by the addition of Parmesan and a punchy red pesto topping. Perfect as a filling lunch or dinner, this soup is comforting, creamy, and packed with flavor.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• For the Soup:

  • 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy, no casings)

  • 2 tbsp olive oil

  • 2 garlic cloves, minced

  • 1 small onion, chopped

  • 3 cups chicken broth

  • ½ cup puréed tomatoes

  • 3 oz tomato paste

  • 3 cans (360 g/13 oz) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed

  • ¾ cup heavy cream

  • 1.5 oz grated Parmesan cheese

  • 2 tbsp chopped parsley

• Spices:

  • 1 tsp salt

  • 1 tsp black pepper

  • 1 tsp dried thyme

  • 1 tsp dried oregano

  • ½ tsp fennel seeds

  • ½ tsp chili flakes (more for serving)

• For Serving:

  • 8 tbsp red pesto (store-bought or homemade)

Directions

1. Prepare the Ingredients: Mince the garlic, chop the onion, and remove the casings from the sausage. Drain and rinse the beans.

2. Cook the Sausage: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and break it into small pieces with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned and no longer pink, about 5 minutes.

3. Add the Vegetables and Spices: Add the garlic and onion, cooking for another 3 minutes until fragrant. Stir in the spices (salt, pepper, thyme, oregano, fennel, and chili flakes) and cook for 1 more minute.

4. Simmer the Soup: Pour in the chicken broth, puréed tomatoes, and tomato paste. Bring to a boil. Add the beans, stir, lower the heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.

5. Finish the Soup: Add the heavy cream and stir to combine. Turn off the heat and stir in the Parmesan cheese. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.

6. Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and top with red pesto and extra chili flakes. Garnish with fresh parsley.

Nutrients (Per Serving)

• Calories: 732 kcal

• Carbohydrates: 14g

• Protein: 24g

• Fat: 65g

• Saturated Fat: 26g

• Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g

• Monounsaturated Fat: 26g

• Cholesterol: 152mg

• Sodium: 2707mg

• Potassium: 615mg

• Fiber: 2g

• Sugar: 7g

• Vitamin A: 1282 IU

• Vitamin C: 9mg

• Calcium: 201mg

• Iron: 3mg

Why This Soup Works

Hearty and Filling

The inclusion of Italian sausage and cannellini beans makes this soup incredibly filling. The sausage provides protein and a rich, savory flavor, while the beans add creaminess and texture. Together, they create a hearty base that’s satisfying enough to be a full meal. The heavy cream adds to the richness of the soup, making each spoonful comforting and indulgent.

Quick and Easy

This soup comes together in just 30 minutes, making it a perfect option for a busy weeknight meal or when you need something quick yet satisfying. Despite the quick cooking time, it’s packed with flavor, thanks to the layers of spices and seasonings that are added during the cooking process. The recipe also allows for flexibility, so it can be adapted to suit your preferences (such as using spicy sausage for an extra kick or adjusting the seasonings to your taste).

Packed with Flavor

The red pesto topping is what truly makes this soup special. It’s a bold, flavorful addition that contrasts beautifully with the creamy, savory soup. The chili flakes give it a mild heat, which can be adjusted to your taste. The mix of oregano, thyme, fennel seeds, and garlic builds depth, adding complexity to every bite. The Parmesan cheese melts into the soup, enriching it with a savory umami flavor that makes the dish feel indulgent.

Key Ingredients

Italian Sausage

The sausage is the key protein in this soup. It brings an irresistible richness and flavor to the broth as it browns and releases its juices into the soup. Depending on your preference, you can use mild or spicy sausage. If you enjoy a bit of heat, spicy sausage will complement the chili flakes and red pesto perfectly, while mild sausage creates a smoother, more balanced flavor.

Cannellini Beans

Cannellini beans are known for their creamy texture and neutral flavor, making them the perfect choice for this soup. They absorb the flavors of the broth and sausage, adding a hearty texture that makes the soup filling. The beans also help thicken the broth, contributing to the creamy, satisfying texture of the soup.

Heavy Cream

The heavy cream creates a silky, velvety texture for the soup, adding to the richness and making it more indulgent. It balances out the acidity of the tomatoes and enhances the overall creaminess of the soup.

Red Pesto

The red pesto topping adds a burst of fresh, tangy flavor that cuts through the richness of the soup. Red pesto typically includes ingredients like sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, basil, and Parmesan, making it an excellent finishing touch for the soup. It brings a contrast in both color and flavor, enriching the soup with depth and brightness.

How to Make Creamy Bean Soup with Sausage

1. Cook the Sausage

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage (removed from its casing) and break it up into small pieces with a wooden spoon. Cook until the sausage is browned and no longer pink, which should take about 5 minutes. Once the sausage is cooked, remove it from the pot and set it aside.

2. Sauté the Vegetables and Spices

In the same pot, add the garlic and onion, and sauté for about 3 minutes, or until the onion is softened and the garlic is fragrant. Then, stir in the spices: salt, pepper, dried thyme, dried oregano, fennel seeds, and chili flakes. Cook for another 1 minute to release the flavors of the spices.

3. Simmer the Soup

Pour in the chicken broth, puréed tomatoes, and tomato paste, and stir to combine. Bring the soup to a boil. Once boiling, add the cannellini beans, and lower the heat to let the soup simmer for 15 minutes. This simmering time allows the beans to absorb the flavors from the broth and sausage.

4. Add the Cream and Parmesan

After simmering, add the heavy cream and stir to combine. Then, add the Parmesan cheese and stir until it melts into the soup, creating a rich, creamy texture. Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.

5. Serve

Ladle the soup into bowls and top with a generous spoonful of red pesto. Garnish with fresh parsley and additional chili flakes if you like extra heat. Serve the soup hot with a side of Parmesan garlic bread or your favorite crusty bread to soak up the flavorful broth.

What to Serve With

This creamy bean soup with sausage is hearty enough to stand on its own, but pairing it with a few sides can elevate the meal even further:

• Homemade Parmesan Garlic Bread: This is a perfect accompaniment, allowing you to dip and soak up the rich, creamy soup with the added flavor of garlic and Parmesan.

• Fried Mantao Buns: These soft, fluffy Chinese buns are perfect for dipping into the creamy broth, adding a slight sweetness to balance the savory flavors.

• French Fries: Crispy fries are a great choice if you’re looking for something crunchy and indulgent to pair with this rich soup.

Health Considerations

This creamy soup is rich and satisfying, but it’s also packed with protein from the sausage and beans, making it a well-rounded meal. While it’s indulgent due to the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, the cannellini beans provide fiber and nutrients, while the sausage adds a good amount of protein. However, it’s worth noting that the soup is relatively high in fat and calories, so it’s best enjoyed in moderation.

To lighten the dish, you could substitute the heavy cream with a lighter version (like half-and-half) or use a smaller amount of cheese. If you’re looking to reduce sodium, consider using a low-sodium broth or reducing the amount of added salt.

Conclusion

Creamy Bean Soup with Sausage is a warm, hearty, and flavorful dish that’s perfect for chilly evenings or when you need something satisfying but quick. The richness of the sausage and cream combined with the earthiness of the beans makes for a truly comforting soup. The red pesto topping adds a tangy contrast that brightens the dish, making every bite flavorful and indulgent. Whether you’re making it for a family dinner or a cozy lunch, this soup is sure to become a favorite.