Italian Sausage, Kale and White Bean Soup

My husband is a huge fan of hot Italian sausage so he loved this flavorful soup.  If you do not care for hot (or pork) sausage, you could use a mild Italian turkey or chicken sausage and it would be delicious. The green touch of kale makes it earthy and healthy!

Ingredients

1 pound Italian Sausage or turkey sausage

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 chopped medium onion

2 large carrots, cut into rounds

2 celery stalks, sliced

4 cloves garlic, minced

4 cups chicken broth

2 cups water

1 tablespoon Italian seasoning

1 bunch kale, ribs removed, leaves cut into bite size pieces

2 (15.5 ounce) white beans, rinsed and drained

salt and pepper to taste

freshly grated Parmesan cheese for serving

In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium high heat. Add sausage and cook, breaking up sausage as it browns, approximately 6 minutes. Use slotted spoon to remove sausage to plate lined with paper towels.

Return pot to medium-high and add onion, carrots, celery and garlic. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring until onions and garlic are softened, about 5 minutes.

Stir in chicken broth, water, Italian season and sausage and bring to boil. Reduce to sinmmer and cook over medium until carrots and celery are tender, about 6 minutes. Add kale and beans and cook until the kale is wilted, about 5 minutes.

Seat with salt and pepper and serve with a drizzle of oil and Parmesan cheese.

Enjoy!