Hearty Tuscan Sausage and Vegetable Soup

If you’re craving a comforting meal that’s rich in flavor yet packed with nutritious ingredients, this Tuscan-inspired sausage and vegetable soup will hit the spot. Sweet Italian sausage, tender vegetables, fresh herbs, and creamy beans simmer together until every spoonful bursts with rustic, homey goodness. The trick of pureeing one can of beans adds a silky texture without any cream, making it hearty enough to serve as a main dish. Top it off with grated Parmesan, and you’ve got an irresistible bowl of warmth perfect for cool evenings.

YIELD
6 or more servings

PREP TIME
20 Min

COOK TIME
1 Hr

METHOD
Stove Top

Ingredients for Hearty Tuscan Sausage and Vegetable Soup

• 2 lb (900 g) sweet Italian sausage, cut into chunks

• 3 cans (15 oz / 425 g each) cannellini beans, drained (reserve 1 can for puree)

• Olive oil (enough to coat the bottom of the pot)

• 1 cup (150 g) Vidalia onion, diced

• 1 cup (130 g) carrots, diced

• 1 1/2 cups (150 g) celery, diced

• 2 1/3 cups (230 g) zucchini, diced (skins on)

• 1 Tbsp (3 g) chopped fresh thyme leaves (or 1 1/2 tsp dried)

• 1 Tbsp (2 g) fresh sage leaves (or 1 tsp dried)

• 1 tsp (1 g) dried Italian seasoning

• Salt and pepper to taste (use lightly if topping with Parmesan)

• 32 oz (950 ml) chicken broth

• 2 cans (14.5 oz / 410 g each) no-salt-added diced tomatoes with juices

• 3 cups (90 g) baby spinach leaves, chopped

• Grated Parmesan cheese for topping each bowl

How to Make Hearty Tuscan Sausage and Vegetable Soup

1. Prepare all vegetables by chopping and dicing them. Set aside. Puree one can (15 oz / 425 g) of cannellini beans and have it ready to add when combining beans and tomatoes.

2. Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat, just enough to cover the bottom.

3. Add onion, carrots, celery, zucchini, garlic, thyme, sage, Italian seasoning, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir occasionally.

4. Cover the pot and let vegetables simmer until tender, about 5 minutes.

5. Stir in the sausage chunks and cook until they lose their pink color.

6. Add chicken broth, diced tomatoes with juices, pureed beans, and the remaining whole beans. Cover and simmer over low heat for 1 hour. In the last few minutes of cooking, stir in the spinach.

7. For extra flavor, you can add a whole piece of Parmesan rind during simmering and remove it before serving. This soup is delicious as is, but you can also serve it with cooked ditalini or orzo pasta (keep pasta separate and ladle soup over when serving). Pair with crusty Italian bread for dipping, if desired. Enjoy!

Conclusion:
This Tuscan sausage and vegetable soup delivers comfort in every bite. The slow simmering blends savory sausage with the sweetness of fresh vegetables and the earthy richness of beans, while Parmesan takes the flavor to another level. Whether you serve it as a stand-alone dinner or alongside warm bread, it’s the kind of recipe that turns an ordinary night into something special.