Hearty & Healthy Slow Cooker Sausage Kale White Bean Soup: An Easy Weeknight Meal
Discover the ultimate comfort food that’s both nutritious and incredibly simple to prepare: our Slow Cooker Sausage Kale White Bean Soup. This robust and flavorful soup is a perfect antidote to chilly evenings, delivering a satisfying blend of protein, essential vitamins, and wholesome ingredients in every spoonful. The true beauty of this recipe lies in its convenience – simply combine the ingredients in your slow cooker and let it simmer to perfection throughout the day, leaving you with a delicious, piping-hot dinner ready for your family when you are.
While many comfort foods can feel heavy, this Slow Cooker Sausage Kale White Bean Soup strikes a wonderful balance. It’s incredibly hearty and warming, making it an ideal choice for the colder months, yet it’s surprisingly light and wholesome enough to enjoy as a satisfying meal during a crisp spring evening. Every bowl is loaded with lean protein from the sausage and white beans, complemented by the abundance of vitamins and minerals from fresh kale and other vibrant vegetables. This soup is designed not only to fill you up but to nourish your body.
If you’re a fan of Olive Garden’s Zuppa Toscana, you’ll find a delightful resemblance in this recipe, but with a lighter, healthier twist. Our version captures that same comforting, savory essence without the potatoes and heavy cream, making it a fantastic alternative for those seeking a less indulgent, yet equally flavorful, experience. It’s a wonderful way to enjoy a classic-inspired taste while keeping your meal wholesome.
One of the greatest advantages of this sausage and kale soup is its incredible versatility. While we recommend using spicy andouille sausage for a kick, you can easily customize the protein to suit your preferences. Feel free to swap it out for milder Italian sausage, leaner chicken sausage, or even plant-based sausage. For a completely vegetarian option, simply omit the sausage and use vegetable broth – the beans and kale will still provide plenty of substance and flavor. This flexibility extends to other ingredients too, allowing you to use whatever fresh produce or pantry staples you have on hand, making it a truly adaptable recipe.
Beyond its easy preparation, this soup is also a champion for meal prep. It makes fantastic leftovers, often tasting even better the next day as the flavors meld and deepen. You can also easily freeze portions for quick and convenient meals on busy future weeknights. Imagine coming home to a homemade, wholesome meal that just needs reheating!
If you’re on the hunt for a quick, effortless, and nourishing soup recipe that delivers on both flavor and health, this crock pot Zuppa Toscana-inspired creation is absolutely the recipe for you. It’s a testament to how simple ingredients, combined with the magic of slow cooking, can yield spectacular results without hours of kitchen work.
The inspiration for this comforting slow cooker soup actually came from a previous recipe on our site: this Smoked Sausage, White Bean and Spinach Pasta with Toasted Pine Nuts. We loved the combination of sausage, beans, and greens, and wanted to translate those wonderful flavors into a hearty soup that leverages the convenience of a slow cooker.
If you enjoy warming soup recipes as much as we do, be sure to explore our other soup recipes here. You might also particularly enjoy our Instant Pot Turkey Chili, a comforting and quick meal; our traditional Lebanese Lentil Soup, packed with aromatic spices; the unique flavors of Moroccan Red Lentil Soup; or our classic Chicken Lentil Soup for another wholesome option.
Key Ingredients for this Hearty Soup
Crafting this flavorful Slow Cooker Sausage Kale White Bean Soup requires a thoughtful selection of ingredients that build layers of taste and nutrition. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and how each component contributes to the final delicious result:
- Sausage: Our recipe highlights the smoky, spicy depth of andouille sausage, which adds a wonderful kick to the broth. However, this is a highly adaptable ingredient. You can opt for mild or hot Italian sausage for a more traditional flavor, ground turkey or chicken sausage for a lighter profile, or even a plant-based sausage for a vegetarian-friendly meal. The key is to brown the sausage beforehand to develop rich flavors and textures.
- Vegetables: This soup is packed with aromatic vegetables that form its robust base. We’ve included classic soup staples like diced onion, carrots, and celery – often referred to as a mirepoix – which provide a sweet and savory foundation. Don’t hesitate to experiment with other additions like bell peppers (red or green) for sweetness and color, or poblano peppers for a subtle, earthy heat. These vegetables not only add flavor but also boost the soup’s nutritional value.
- Beans: White beans are a star ingredient, contributing a creamy texture and a significant boost of plant-based protein, making the soup incredibly hearty and filling. Cannellini beans (also known as white kidney beans) are a popular choice due to their tender consistency and mild flavor. However, feel free to swap them with Great Northern beans, navy beans, or even chickpeas if you prefer a different texture or have them readily available in your pantry.
- Spices: The spice mixture is crucial for infusing this soup with its signature comforting aroma and taste. Our blend includes fragrant oregano, earthy parsley, sweet basil, warm thyme, and robust bay leaves. For an optional touch of warmth and gentle heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes can be added. These dried herbs and spices work together to create a deeply satisfying and aromatic broth that elevates the entire dish.
- Greens: Kale is an excellent choice for this soup due to its hearty texture, which holds up beautifully during the slow cooking process without becoming mushy. It’s also a powerhouse of vitamins and antioxidants. If kale isn’t your preference, fresh spinach is a fantastic alternative – just remember it wilts down much quicker and should be added even closer to the end of cooking. Other robust greens like Swiss chard or collard greens could also work if chopped finely.
Effortless Steps to Make This Slow Cooker Kale Sausage Soup
Making this hearty soup is incredibly straightforward, allowing you to enjoy a deeply flavorful meal with minimal active cooking time. The slow cooker does most of the heavy lifting!
- Step 1: Prepare and Cook Sausage: Begin by heating a large skillet over medium heat. Add a tablespoon or two of olive oil, then add your chosen sausage. Cook the sausage, breaking it apart with a spoon as it browns, for about 5-6 minutes until it’s nicely caramelized and cooked through. This browning step is crucial as it develops deep, savory flavors that will infuse the entire soup. Once cooked, transfer the sausage to your slow cooker, leaving any excess grease in the skillet if desired, or drain it for a lighter soup.
- Step 2: Assemble and Slow Cook the Soup: To the slow cooker with the cooked sausage, add all the remaining ingredients EXCEPT the fresh kale. This includes your chopped vegetables (onion, carrots, celery), minced garlic, white beans (drained and rinsed), chicken or vegetable broth, and all the dry spices (oregano, parsley, basil, thyme, bay leaves, and optional red pepper flakes). Give everything a good stir to combine. Cover your slow cooker and cook on the LOW setting for 4 hours, or on HIGH for 2 hours.
- Step 3: Add Kale and Serve: During the last 10-15 minutes of cooking, remove the lid and stir in the roughly chopped kale. Replace the lid and allow the kale to wilt down into the hot soup. This short cooking time ensures the kale retains its vibrant green color and a pleasant texture. Once the kale has wilted, your soup is ready! Serve it warm, garnished generously with fresh chopped parsley and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese for an extra layer of flavor. A side of crusty bread is perfect for dipping.
Recipe Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is highly recommended to brown the sausage in a skillet before adding it to the slow cooker. This crucial step helps develop a rich, savory flavor through the Maillard reaction, which simply cannot be achieved by slow cooking alone. Browning also allows you to drain off any excess grease, resulting in a lighter, less oily soup. This pre-cooking step truly makes a significant difference in the overall taste profile of your soup.
For a hint of spice and a robust flavor, andouille sausage is an excellent choice, as used in this recipe. However, this soup is very forgiving and can accommodate various types of sausage. You can use mild or spicy Italian sausage for a classic, savory taste, chicken sausage or turkey sausage for a leaner option, or even plant-based sausage to make it vegetarian. Choose a sausage that aligns with your preferred flavor profile and dietary needs.
Absolutely! This Slow Cooker Sausage Kale White Bean Soup is fantastic for meal prep. You can make it a day or two in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator; the flavors often deepen overnight. For longer storage, this soup freezes beautifully. Allow it to cool completely, then transfer to freezer-safe containers or bags. It will keep well for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave.
Making this soup vegetarian is very simple: just omit the sausage entirely. For a delicious vegan version, in addition to leaving out the sausage, ensure you use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. The white beans, kale, and other vegetables provide ample heartiness and nutrition, making it a satisfying meat-free meal. You could also add plant-based sausage for extra flavor and protein.
More Delicious Soup Recipes to Explore
Vegetarian
Moroccan Carrot Red Lentil Soup
Soups
Homemade Minestrone Soup
Chicken
Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken Lime Soup
Vegetarian
Mediterranean White Bean Soup
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Slow Cooker Sausage Kale White Bean Soup
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Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 – 12 oz. package of sausage {andouille recommended}
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 sweet onion, chopped
- 2 large carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 2 – 15 oz. cans of white beans {cannellini beans are ideal}
- 4 cups chicken broth {or vegetable broth for vegetarian}
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 3 bay leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne red pepper {optional for a touch of spice}
- 2 cups kale, roughly chopped {stems removed, or green of your choice}
Garnishes:
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Parmesan cheese, grated
Instructions
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Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the olive oil and cook the sausage until it is thoroughly browned and cooked through, typically about 5-6 minutes, breaking it apart as it cooks. Once browned, transfer the cooked sausage to the slow cooker, leaving any rendered fat behind in the skillet if you prefer a lighter soup, or include it for extra flavor.
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To the slow cooker, add all the remaining ingredients except the kale. Stir everything together well to ensure the spices are evenly distributed. Secure the lid and cook on the LOW setting for 4 hours or on the HIGH setting for 2 hours.
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During the final 10-15 minutes of the cooking time, remove the lid and add the roughly chopped kale to the soup. Stir it gently into the hot liquid, then cover the slow cooker again. Allow the kale to wilt and become tender. Serve the soup warm, generously garnished with fresh chopped parsley and grated Parmesan cheese.
Helpful Notes and Variations
- **Greens Alternatives:** While kale is fantastic for its hardiness and nutrition, you can easily substitute it with other leafy greens. Fresh spinach is a popular choice; however, since it wilts much faster than kale, add it only during the last 5 minutes of cooking. Swiss chard or collard greens, finely chopped, also make good, hearty alternatives.
- **Bean Substitutions:** White beans add a wonderful creaminess and protein. If cannellini beans aren’t available, or you simply prefer another type, feel free to use Great Northern beans, navy beans, or even kidney beans for a slightly different flavor and texture. Chickpeas also work well for a nuttier profile.
- **Make it Vegetarian/Vegan:** To adapt this recipe for a vegetarian diet, simply omit the sausage. For a fully vegan version, ensure you also use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. The combination of white beans and abundant vegetables will still create a satisfying and flavorful soup. Consider adding a plant-based sausage for extra substance.
- **Add More Vegetables:** This soup is very flexible with added vegetables. Consider incorporating diced bell peppers, zucchini, or even small broccoli florets. If adding softer vegetables like zucchini, it’s best to introduce them towards the end of the cooking cycle (e.g., during the last 15-20 minutes) to prevent them from becoming too soft or mushy.
- **Include Pasta:** For an even heartier meal, you can add pasta to this soup. Smaller pasta shapes work best, such as ditalini, elbow macaroni, or orzo. Cook the pasta separately according to package directions and stir it into individual bowls just before serving to prevent it from getting soggy and absorbing too much broth. Alternatively, if adding directly to the slow cooker, do so in the last 30 minutes of cooking.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.