Sausage and white bean soup is hearty, filling and oh so tasty! Filled with orzo, veggies and lots of flavor, it's the perfect cold weather soup to warm you up.
My family just loves soup! Our favorite soups include this Hearty Lentil Soup, and this Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup. When we need something extra hearty, we go for this sausage white bean soup!
One of my favorite easy ways to add extra flavor to a soup recipe is to use Italian sausage. There is just something about the seasonings in the Italian sausage...I think it's fennel that really gets me. It's unusual and a really nice pop of flavor!
In this soup, the sausage, white beans and orzo make this soup super hearty and filling. But not to worry, there are plenty of veggies hiding in there as well 😉
Reasons you’ll ♡ this sausage and white bean soup
Recipe Video
Wondering how this soup all comes together? Watch the 1-minute video below to see how easy it is to make! You can find more of my recipe videos on my YouTube channel.
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Ingredient talk
For this white bean soup, you'll need:
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- Italian sausage- you can go spicy or go mild on this one! Short cut tip- purchase the sausage meat that is not in the casing to save time when prepping.
- White beans- you can use cannellini, great northern or navy beans. Make sure you start with cooked beans
- Orzo- which is the small rice-shaped pasta. You could swap for other types of pasta but measurements may not be equivalent and cook times would need to be adjusted
- Veggies- onions, celery, carrot and garlic. Chop very small as we have a short cook time for this soup.
- White wine- just adds another dimension to this soup. We simmer off all alcohol before adding the stock. You can leave it out but your soup may be lacking a layer of flavor.
- Stock- use veggie, chicken or bone broth!
- Bay leaf - for little extra flavor.
Tips for perfect soup
Can I make this soup in the Instant Pot?
I bet you could! I would try the cook time listed for this soup, which uses low pressure to prevent over cooking the orzo. Let me know in the comments below if you give this a try!
Can I freeze this soup?
If you plan to freeze the soup, I advise leaving the orzo separate, as it does not freeze/thaw well.
What should I serve with this?
I think of this soup as a pretty complete meal in and of itself. With that being said, I wouldn't say no to a crusty baguette for dipping. A side salad like this Staple Kale Salad is also a delish option!
More soup recipes!
- Authentic Ukranian Borscht
- Creamy Roasted Cauliflower Soup
- Italian Sausage Soup with Farro
- Stuffed Pepper Soup
- Hearty Vegetable Soup
- Healthier Beef & Barley Soup
This post was originally published in 2015. It has been tweaked, rephotographed and republished in 2020.
Did you make this? Tag me on social @sweetpeasandsaffron and be sure to leave a comment and rate the recipe!
Sausage and White Bean Soup
Ingredients
Soup
- 400 g spicy Italian sausage (close to 1 lb; 4 sausages. Remove casings if they have them and cut into ½ inch pieces)
- 1 onion (diced)
- 2 garlic cloves (minced)
- ¼ cup white wine
- 2 carrots (finely chopped)
- 2 stalks celery (finely chopped)
- 5-6 cups chicken stock
- 1 bay leaf
- ½ cup orzo
- 1 can white beans (drained + rinsed; cannellini, great northern, or navy beans)
- 1 teaspoon salt
To serve:
- Chopped parsley to garnish
Instructions
Soup
- Heat a medium pot over medium heat. Add the sausages and cook until browned and cooked through. Set aside on a paper-towel lined plate while other ingredients cook.
- Remove all but 1 tbsp of grease from the pot. Add the onion and cook for 5-7 minutes, until translucent and cooked through. Add the garlic and cook for another minute or so, until fragrant.
- Add the wine, cook for one minute, scraping up all the brown bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Add the sausage, carrots, celery, chicken stock, bay leaf, white beans and orzo. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until orzo is cooked through, roughly 10-15 minutes.
- Remove the bay leaf prior to serving.
Storage
- This soup can be stored in the fridge for 2-3 days.
- This soup does not freeze well due to the orzo, however without the orzo it freezes amazingly well. You could freeze without the orzo, then add it in fresh when re-heating.
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Video
Nutrition Information
© Sweet Peas & Saffron - Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.
kity says
Thanks for the recipe…I can’t wait to try this recipe! I think it might be a winner for both my husband and the kids! Yum! Pinned and sharing.
Denise says
I hope you enjoy it!
Scott Williams says
This soup was incredibly delicious and my son enjoyed it when he was sick. Thanks for sharing this life saving soup.
Denise says
So happy you and your son enjoyed the soup, Scott!
Doug says
Thanks for the recipe and the tip on the kale chips! We usually eat them as a "side," but I like the idea of adding them to the soup as you go like crumbled crackers!
Denise says
Thanks, Doug! They are good in the soup for about 30 seconds before they become limp kale. I liked the crunch they had!
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
What I am really loving about this dish is those kale chip dippers! I often make kale chips but never have thought to pair them up with soup before.. thanks for the idea Denise!
Denise says
Can you believe this is my first time making kale chips? THey are so yummy, it's like kale flavor totally intensified and I loved the crispy texture, too! Thanks, Thalia!
Jess @ Flying on Jess Fuel says
I definitely want to make more healthy and slow cooker meals this year!! This soup looks fantastic and definitely checks the healthy box!! Love the kale chips too-- I have tons of kale in my garden!!
marcie says
This is my kind of hearty soup packed with goodness! And those kale chip dippers make it even better. I love kale so much and I've never done that. Gotta get on it! Pinned. 🙂
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
I think I'm going to make a 2015 goal to make Kale Chips. And this soup! Looks so good!
Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor says
Love your kitchen resolutions! That is a great way to think ahead and plan your goals for the year. I would love a big bowl of this soup on this cold winter day. I probably wouldn't be able to stop eating the kale chips!
Ashley | The Recipe Rebel says
Haha, I LOVE your model pot! He should definitely be in every soup post! Love this recipe Denise, and your photos are just stunning.
Denise says
Ha ha, thanks, Ashely! I'm getting kind of sick of looking at him, maybe that's a sign that winter should end really early and I can stop making soup 😛
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says
All great resolutions. I just realized I haven't made any yet! I love your idea of making a kale chip for dunking in the soup. Genius!
Denise says
THanks, Natalie, kitchen resolutions are more fun than actual resolutions!
Annie @Maebells says
I love your kitchen resolutions! I do not think you can ever have enough crock pot meals! Especially the all day ones. You always have the prettiest soups too!! I can't wait to try it, kale and white beans are two of my favorite things!
Denise says
Yes I agree on the crockpot meals! I just need to figure out how to keep everything from disintegrating...Thanks, Annie!
Ami@NaiveCookCooks says
I love those crispy parmesan kale chips you made!! Can munch on them right now!! Yumm.
Denise says
Thanks, Ami! My first time making kale chips, and they are so addictive!
Shea @ Dixie Chik Cooks says
Love this soup! I'll be featuring you on my Top Ten Tuesday - http://www.dixiechikcooks.com/top-ten-tuesday-3/
Denise says
Thanks for featuring the soup, Shea! I'll have to check out your top ten Tuesday!
Annie @ ciaochowbambina says
Yum! I love the combination of flavors you have here...lovely pictures - I'm hooked!
Denise says
Thanks, Annie!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby cakes) says
I definitely want to start using my slow cooker more like you. I am just sooo behind on that and it would make things so much easier for me.
Denise says
I haven't made nearly as many dishes in my slow cooker as I'd planned! I thought when I bought it that everything could cook all day, and was so disappointed when I learned that it wasn't true. I really want to be able to walk through the door after work to dinner ready! I'll just have to keep practicing...thanks, Jocelyn!
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
What a great soup recipe! Love the healthy crunch added by the kale chips 🙂
Denise says
Thanks, Medha! It was my first time making kale chips and now I know what all the fuss is about 😉
April @ Girl Gone Gourmet says
I need some new fast and easy weeknight recipes ideas, too. I love to spend hours in the kitchen on the weekends - during the week, not so much. Love the kale chips!
Denise says
I'm exactly like you, April,I love puttering in the kitchen--on the week-end. NOT on week-nights!
Helen @ Scrummy Lane says
Mmm ... a while to go before lunchtime here but my mouth is watering at this gorgeous soup. I love the bean, sausage & orzo combo ... and the kale chips just send it soaring to quite another level.
If you come up with some great slow cooker recipes, please do share ... I haven't been having too much success with mine!
Denise says
I'm going to keep working away at it, Helen! I really need some 8hr + recipes in my bag because otherwise I can only use it on week-ends, which I don't really need to do. I'll keep you posted 😉