Savory sausage, white beans, veggies, and cheese create a hearty, comforting one-pot meal for any night.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 14 oz smoked sausage or kielbasa, sliced into rounds
→ Vegetables & Beans
02 - 1 medium onion, diced
03 - 2 medium carrots, diced
04 - 2 celery stalks, diced
05 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
06 - 2 cans (15 oz each) white beans, drained and rinsed
07 - 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
08 - 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
09 - 1 cup water
10 - 2 cups fresh spinach or kale, roughly chopped
→ Dairy
11 - 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
12 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
→ Pantry & Spices
13 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
14 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
15 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
16 - 1 bay leaf
17 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
# Directions:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add sliced sausage and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until browned. Remove sausage and set aside.
02 - In the same pot, add diced onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5 minutes until vegetables soften. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute longer.
03 - Return sausage to the pot. Add white beans, diced tomatoes with juices, chicken broth, water, dried thyme, dried oregano, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper. Stir thoroughly.
04 - Bring mixture to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
05 - Add fresh spinach or kale and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until greens are wilted. Remove the bay leaf.
06 - Reduce heat to low. Stir in heavy cream and shredded cheddar cheese until fully melted and soup is creamy.
07 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot, garnished with extra cheese or fresh herbs if desired.
