Italian White Bean Soup
Cozy up with a bowl of hearty Italian White Bean Soup—a comforting, one-pot meal packed with flavor! 🍲 This White Bean Soup is loaded with savory sausage, crispy bacon, tender vegetables, and creamy cannellini beans, all simmered in a rich, herby broth. It’s dairy-free, gluten-free, and comes together in just 30 minutes on the stovetop—plus, there's a slow cooker option for busy nights! Whether you’re meal prepping or whipping up a quick weeknight dinner, this recipe is a must-try for fans of Bean Soup Recipes and comforting Italian Soup Recipes.
Ingredients
Proteins:
- 1 lb Italian sausage mild or spicy
- 4 slices of bacon chopped
Vegetables:
- 1 yellow onion diced
- 3 carrots peeled and diced
- 2 celery stalks chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 cups baby spinach
Pantry & Seasoning:
- 3 cans cannellini beans rinsed and drained
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp dried rosemary
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 cup full-fat canned coconut milk for creaminess
Instructions
- Brown the Meat: In a large stockpot over medium-high heat, cook the Italian sausage and bacon until browned and cooked through—about 10 minutes. Use a wooden spoon to break the sausage into crumbles as it cooks.
- Sauté the Veggies: Add diced onion, carrots, celery, and garlic to the pot. Cook for 5–6 minutes until the vegetables are tender and the onion is translucent.
- Build the Soup Base: Add in the cannellini beans, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Bring everything to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer uncovered for 15–20 minutes, until the carrots are fork-tender.
- Mash for Texture: Use a potato masher or the back of a large spoon to mash a portion of the beans (about 3–4 mashes). This helps naturally thicken the soup without needing dairy.
- Finish with Coconut Milk & Spinach: Stir in the coconut milk and fresh spinach. Cook for 2–3 more minutes until the spinach wilts and the soup becomes creamy. Remove from heat and let it rest—it’ll thicken slightly as it cools.
Notes
Slow Cooker Instructions
Want to make this as a hands-off dinner recipe?- Brown the sausage and bacon in a skillet, then transfer to a slow cooker.
- Add all ingredients except the coconut milk and spinach. Stir well.
- Cook on high for 3–4 hours or low for 6–8 hours.
- Before serving, lightly mash some of the beans to thicken.
- Stir in the coconut milk and spinach until wilted and creamy.