Welcome to Your New Favorite Dish!
This is my “I have no time and nothing for dinner” secret weapon. I almost always have these ingredients on hand, and it comes together in 30 minutes in a single pot. It’s that perfect, magical combination of fast, healthy, and incredibly flavorful. It’s savory, a little spicy, and so, so satisfying.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ready in 30 Minutes: The perfect, healthy meal for a busy weeknight.
- Minimal Cleanup: Everything cooks in one single pot!
- Healthy & Hearty: Packed with protein, fiber, and greens.
- Budget-Friendly: Uses simple, inexpensive ingredients like sausage, beans, and kale.
- So Much Flavor: The sausage, garlic, and red pepper flakes create an amazing broth.
Ingredients
Gather these ingredients to create your perfect dish:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or hot), casings removed
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (or to taste)
- 6 cups chicken broth, low-sodium
- 2 (15 oz) cans cannellini beans (white kidney beans), rinsed and drained
- 1 bunch Lacinato (dinosaur) kale, stems removed and leaves chopped
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
- Add the Italian sausage and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and cooked through (about 5-7 minutes).
- Add the diced onion and sauté for 5 minutes, until softened.
- Stir in the minced garlic and red pepper flakes and cook for 1 minute more, until fragrant.
- Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
- Bring the soup to a simmer.
- Add the rinsed and drained cannellini beans and cook for 5 minutes.
- Stir in the chopped kale and cook for just 2-3 minutes, until it has wilted and turned bright green.
- Taste the soup and season with salt and black pepper as needed (sausage and broth can be salty, so taste first!).
- Ladle into bowls and serve hot, with a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese.
Tips
For a creamier broth, take 1 cup of the soup (mostly beans and broth) and blend it, then pour it back into the pot. This thickens the soup beautifully without adding any cream.