Saturday, January 2, 2010

Weekend Cooking: Tuscan Bean Soup

There's nothing like soup on a cold winter day! My family loves it and, at this time of year, there is always some hot on the stove or in the refrigerator ready to be warmed.

Tuscan Bean Soup is one of our favorites. A basic version of this recipe was published in Better Homes and Gardens magazine a year or two ago. My addition of sausage and pasta (along with a loaf of warm bread!) makes this a hearty winter meal.

Tuscan Bean Soup

Ingredients:

1 cup chopped carrots
1 small onion, chopped
3 T olive oil
2 - 15 oz. cans cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
1 carton ( 32 oz.) + 1 can (14 oz.) chicken broth
(may need more at the end)
5 ounces fresh baby spinach
1 pound sweet Italian sausage
1 cup ditalini pasta, cooked and drained
2 - 3 T dried Italian seasonings

Directions:

- cook sausage; set aside
- cook carrots and onion in oil ~ 3 minutes
- return sausage to pan; add beans, broth, seasoning
- bring to boil; slightly mash beans
- reduce heat; simmer uncovered 8 minutes
- add spinach and cooked pasta
- stir to combine; add additional broth if needed

Serve topped with grated Italian cheese.

* I always seem to add an additional can of broth, and should probably change the recipe to read 2 cartons.

Weekend Cooking is a weekly event hosted at Beth Fish Reads. See who else is cooking here.



21 comments:

  1. cYum! This looks easy and tasty.

    ReplyDelete
  2. OMG. This looks so good, so easy, so yummy. I'm adding this to my winter soup list.

    ReplyDelete
  3. This sounds and looks yummy! You've just inspired me to add this to my grocery list for this week. With the sub-zero temps right now this will be a great hot dinner!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. It is cold...and I have a bad cold...and I wish I had some of that soup right now. Sounds easy and delicious.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love bean soups, and it'd be really easy to make this vegetarian. So thanks for the recipe! :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. We've just come in from a walk and it's freezing outside! Your soup looks so warming and delicious.

    ReplyDelete
  7. uhm...I actually had this for lunch yesterday! It's quite a common dish here. And it is delicious!

    ReplyDelete
  8. This is a new soup to me and I can't wait to try it. It seems like a nice blend of flavors. Thanks for sharing the recipe.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Sounds perfect for a day that the high is only supposed to be 6 degrees!

    Thanks so much for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Looks and sounds yummy! Easy enough for even me! LOL.

    ReplyDelete
  11. That looks and sounds so good, really lovely for a Winter day. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Perfect timing! I'm heading to the market in a bit to get everything I need to make lots of soup over the next few days. This will be a perfect addition.

    ReplyDelete
  13. This sounds so tasty and I'm definitely in the mood for soup right now (actually having minestrone for dinner if the veggies ever soften up!).

    ReplyDelete
  14. I'm always looking for new soup recipes, and this one's going on the list. Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hi!
    Sounds really yummy! Thanks for sharing. Have a great weekend.

    Sherrie
    Sherrie's stuff

    ReplyDelete
  16. Softdrink - Super easy and delicious!

    Beth F - If you give it a try, let me know how you like it.

    Staci - This is perfect for cold days! We're near zero now, but wind chills are around -20!

    Caite - Oh, so sorry you're sick! Soup is such a comfort in winter, especially when I have a cold.

    Eva - This would be pretty easy to make vegetarian. I love bean soups!

    Darlene - It's awfully cold to be out walking...hope it was a short one - lol!

    Ivana - My grandparents came from southern Italy, and made dishes like this quite frequently. I didn't like them much as a kid, but love them now!

    Margot - Hope you like it. It's a favorite of mine!

    Molly - Brrr. So much of the country is in the deep freeze right now. Soup is a perfect antidote!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Laurel-Rain Snow - Yup, this one is pretty easy. LOL!

    Zetor - It's another frigid day here...glad I have some leftovers!

    Stacybuckeye - Hope you like it, too!

    Kristen - I love soup... hope your minestrone was ready in time for dinner ;-)

    Jill - It seems like I collect soup recipes, too. I've been making several in the crock pot lately.

    Sherrie - This one is delicious... thanks for stopping by!

    ReplyDelete
  18. This sounds delicious! I've been gathering homemade soup recipes for winter, too! I love a good soup with a loaf of crusty sourdough and maybe some cheese. It's the perfect dinner for a cold night!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Amy - This really is a delicious recipe, and it's even better the second day. Soups and winter - the perfect combination!

    ReplyDelete
  20. This sounds fabulous! I love soup and I especially like it in the winter when it's so cold here.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Dar - Soup is the perfect winter meal! I made a chicken soup today.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks so much for taking the time to comment! Be sure to check back, I always respond. Due to a recent increase in spam, all comments are moderated.

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails