Tuscan-Style Soup with Sausage, Swiss Chard, & Cannellini Beans
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Serves: 6
Ingredients
  • 1 tablespoon of olive oil
  • 1 cup of yellow onion (chopped)
  • 4 carrots (peeled and sliced ~ ¼ inch thick)
  • 1 lb. bulk chicken sausage (If you can't find it in bulk, buy sausages and remove from casing)
  • 3 sprigs of thyme
  • 2 sprigs of rosemary
  • 1 bay leaf
  • ½ teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes
  • 6 cups chicken stock
  • 1 bunch Swiss Chard, ribs removed and roughly chopped (about 4 cups)
  • 2 cans (15 oz.) of cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
  • Freshly ground salt and pepper
  • Optional Garnishes: Squeeze of fresh lemon juice, freshly grated parmesan
Instructions
  1. In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat.
  2. Add onion, carrots, and a pinch of salt. Sauté for ~5 minutes allowing onions to become translucent and carrots to begin softening.
  3. Add chicken sausage, break up into pieces and sauté until cooked through (~8-10 minutes)
  4. Wrap the sprigs of thyme and rosemary with cooking twine and add them to the pot. (If you don't have twine, you can throw the sprigs in as is.
  5. Add the bay leaf, crushed red pepper flakes, and chicken stock. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer for 10 minutes.
  6. Remove the thyme/rosemary bundle and bay leaf.
  7. Add the Swiss chard and cannellini beans and cook for another 5 minutes.
  8. Season with freshly ground pepper and salt to taste. Optionally add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for brightness.
  9. Serve and enjoy! Optionally top with freshly grated parmesan when served
Notes
I love to use an Italian style chicken sausage to add more flavor. I love the Tomato Basil Chicken Sausages by Haley's Sausage Company.
Recipe by Six Snippets at https://www.sixsnippets.com/tuscan-style-soup-with-sausage-swiss-chard-cannellini-beans/