Tuscan Sausage, Potato and White Bean Soup
This rustic and hearty soup is substantial enough to serve as a main course. The sausage and seasonings add a lot of flavor, while big chunks of potato make for a satisfying meal. Pair with a crisp, green side salad and dinner is served!
Equipment
- 1 slow-cooker
Ingredients
- 4 oz pancetta cubed
- 2 lbs bulk mild sausage
- 2 15 oz cans cannellini beans
- 6-7 cups chicken stock separated
- 1 Tbsp red pepper flakes crushed
- 2-3 cloves fresh garlic finely minced
- 1 small yellow onion finely chopped
- 2 lbs russet potatoes peeled and cut into small chunks
- 3" chunk hard parmesan cheese rind
- salt and black pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup half and half tempered**
- 3 cups fresh kale finely chopped
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese freshly grated
Instructions
- Brown pancetta in large skillet over medium-high heat for 2 or 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add sausage to the same skillet and brown, breaking it up into small bite-sized chunks with a spatula while it cooks. Remove from heat and carefully drain excess fat from pan. Transfer pancetta and sausage to a 5 or 6-quart slow cooker crock.
- Puree one can of cannellini beans (undrained) in a blender or food processor. Drain and rinse the other can of cannellini beans and add the puree and whole beans to slow cooker crock.
- Add 6 cups chicken stock, red pepper flakes, chopped onion, potatoes, and Parmesan cheese rind to crock and stir to combine. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste.
- Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-7. Remove lid and add tempered half and half, kale, freshly grated Parmesan cheese and remaining chicken stock, if necessary, to achieve the desired consistency. Stir to combine and allow 5-10 minutes for kale to soften before serving.
Notes
For less salt, drain and rinse both cans of cannellini beans before pureeing one can with a little water.
**Temper the half and half by adding a little bit of the hot liquid to it before stirring it into the slow cooker crock.