Heartwarming Tuscan Soup Recipe for Cozy Evenings

Hearty aromas of herbs and vegetables dance through the kitchen when you craft this rustic Tuscan delight soup that captures the essence of Italian countryside cooking.

Simmering with rich, earthy flavors, the recipe promises a comforting meal that warms both body and soul.

Tender ingredients meld together, creating a symphony of taste that transports you straight to Tuscany’s rolling hills.

Fresh vegetables and robust seasonings form the backbone of this beloved dish, promising a delightful culinary experience.

Each spoonful delivers a perfect balance of nutrition and incredible depth of flavor.

Generations have cherished this classic soup, making it a timeless favorite that never fails to impress.

Dive into this delectable recipe and let your taste buds celebrate the magic of traditional Tuscan cuisine.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 338 kcal

Servings: 7

Tuscan Soup Ingredient Breakdown

• Spicy Italian Sausage: Provides robust, zesty flavor and hearty protein that anchors the soup's rich character, choose fresh sausage with visible spice flecks for maximum taste.

• Onion, Celery, Garlic: Creates a flavor foundation with deep, layered savory notes, select firm vegetables without soft spots or blemishes for maximum freshness.

• Flour: Helps create a silky smooth texture and thickens the soup's consistency, use all-purpose flour for consistent results.

• Chicken Stock: Delivers essential moisture and underlying chicken flavor, opt for low-sodium versions to control salt levels.
• Heavy Cream or Half-and-Half: Adds luxurious creaminess and rounds out the soup's flavor profile, select fresh dairy for best taste.

• White Beans: Introduces creamy texture and plant-based protein, rinse thoroughly to remove excess sodium.
• Potatoes: Provides substantial body and comforting starchiness, choose waxy varieties that hold shape during cooking.

• Kale: Brings nutritional boost and vibrant color, select crisp leaves without yellowing edges.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Enhances and balances overall flavor profile, freshly ground pepper offers more intense taste.

Essentials to Build a Flavorful Tuscan Soup

• Large Pot: Essential for cooking the entire soup, providing ample space for sautéing and simmering ingredients.
• Spatula: Perfect for breaking sausage into bite-sized pieces and stirring ingredients while cooking.
• Slotted Spoon: Helps remove cooked sausage from the pot while leaving excess oil behind.
• Cutting Board: Necessary for chopping onions, celery, garlic, potatoes, and kale.
• Sharp Knife: Used for precise vegetable and ingredient preparation.
• Measuring Cups: Helps accurately measure chicken stock and other liquid ingredients.
• Wooden Spoon: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients while preventing scratching of pot surface.

Making Tuscan Soup with Depth and Ease

• Sausage Foundation

Brown spicy Italian sausage in a large pot with olive oil, breaking it into small pieces until fully cooked. Transfer sausage to a side plate while keeping the flavorful oil in the pot.

• Veggie Harmony

Toss chopped onions, celery, and garlic into the pot, allowing them to dance and become soft and translucent.

• Flour Magic

Sprinkle flour over the vegetables, stirring continuously to create a delicate coating that will thicken the soup’s base.

• Liquid Symphony

Pour chicken stock into the pot, gently scraping the bottom to release any caramelized bits. Introduce diced potatoes and white beans, then simmer under a gentle cover until potatoes reach perfect tenderness.

• Green and Creamy Finale

Fold chopped kale into the simmering soup, letting it become tender and vibrant. Remove from heat and swirl in heavy cream. Return the cooked sausage to the pot, seasoning with salt and black pepper to elevate the flavors. Serve hot and enjoy this hearty Tuscan-inspired creation.

Flavor Boosters That Add a Rustic Touch

• Sausage Swap Magic: Replace spicy Italian sausage with mild chicken sausage or plant-based sausage for different flavor profiles and dietary needs.
• Veggie Power Boost: Experiment by adding extra vegetables like carrots, zucchini, or spinach to increase nutritional value and create a more colorful soup experience.
• Creamy Texture Tricks: For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with Greek yogurt or coconut milk, maintaining richness while reducing calories.
• Herb Garden Upgrade: Enhance the soup's depth by stirring in fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or parsley just before serving, bringing vibrant freshness and aromatic complexity.
• Slow Cooker Simplicity: Transform this recipe into a hands-off meal by preparing all ingredients in a slow cooker, allowing flavors to meld together perfectly over 4-6 hours on low heat.

Serving Tuscan Soup with Fresh Garnish

• Rustic Bread Companion: Slice a crusty Italian or sourdough bread, lightly toast it, and serve alongside the soup for dipping and soaking up all the delicious flavors.
• Herbal Garnish Boost: Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley or thyme on top of the soup just before serving to add a bright, aromatic touch that elevates the entire dish.
• Cheese Lover's Topping: Grate some sharp parmesan or pecorino romano cheese over the hot soup, letting it melt slightly and create a rich, tangy layer of flavor that complements the sausage and kale.
• Creamy Texture Enhancement: Add a dollop of Greek yogurt or sour cream on top to create a cool, creamy contrast to the warm, hearty soup and provide an extra layer of richness.

Best Ways to Store This Mediterranean Soup

• Smart Fridge Storage: Keep this soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Cool the soup completely before sealing to maintain its fresh taste and prevent bacterial growth.
• Freezer-Friendly Technique: Portion the soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving about an inch of space at the top. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently on the stovetop to maintain texture.
• Meal Prep Magic: Prepare a double batch during the weekend. Store individual servings in grab-and-go containers for quick lunches or dinners throughout the week. The flavors will develop and become even more delicious after a day or two.
• Reheating Wisdom: When warming leftovers, add a splash of chicken stock to restore the soup's original creamy consistency. Heat on low-medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching and maintain the soup's rich texture.

Rustic Tuscan Soup Recipe

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• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Hearty Italian Tuscan Delight soup combines rustic ingredients from Tuscany’s countryside with rich, warming flavors. Simmering vegetables, cannellini beans, and tender herbs create a nourishing meal you’ll savor with each comforting spoonful.

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Ingredients

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• 1 lb (454 g) raw spicy Italian sausage, casings removed if using links
• 8 cups (2 quarts / 1.89 liters) chicken broth
• 5 cups (about 5 oz) stemmed and chopped kale
• 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
• 1 lb new potatoes, diced
• 1 (15 oz / 425 g) can cannellini or other white beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 medium white onion, chopped
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tbsps all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Sear Sausage: Ignite olive oil in a substantial pot over medium heat, disintegrating spicy Italian sausage into delicate crumbles and roasting until achieving a golden, crisp texture.
2. Vegetable Foundation: Within the residual sausage-infused oil, sauté onion, celery, and garlic until onions become translucent and aromatic, creating a flavor-packed base.
3. Thickening Technique: Sprinkle flour over the vegetable medley, stirring thoroughly to develop a seamless coating that will enhance the soup’s luxurious consistency.
4. Liquid Composition: Stream chicken stock into the pot, methodically loosening caramelized remnants and establishing a robust flavor foundation.
5. Hearty Integration: Introduce diced potatoes and pristine white beans, allowing the mixture to simmer and tenderize under a covered lid until ingredients soften and meld.
6. Green Infusion: Cascade chopped kale into the simmering liquid, permitting the verdant leaves to wilt and harmonize with the existing components.
7. Finishing Touch: Extract pot from heat, gently swirl heavy cream throughout the soup, reincorporate crisp sausage, and season with salt and black pepper to elevate the Tuscan-inspired creation.

Notes

• Sausage Browning Tip: Crumble meat into small, uniform pieces for even cooking and maximum flavor infusion.
• Vegetable Softening Technique: Sauté onions, celery, and garlic slowly to develop a rich, aromatic base without burning.
• Flour Coating Trick: Evenly dust vegetables with flour to create a smooth thickening agent that prevents lumpy texture.
• Kale Integration Strategy: Add kale near the end of cooking to maintain its vibrant color and nutrient-rich profile while preventing overcooking.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 338
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 812 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 63 mg