Description

This Creamy Tuscan White Bean Lemon Soup is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring spicy Italian sausage, sun-dried tomatoes, hearty white beans, and fresh spinach in a creamy broth enlivened with lemon zest and juice. Perfect for a cozy meal, this soup combines rustic Italian flavors with a bright, zesty finish.

Ingredients

Scale

Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Oil

1 jar (8 ounce) oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes

Meat and Vegetables

1 pound spicy Italian chicken sausage
1 yellow onion, chopped
2 shallots, chopped
6 cloves garlic, chopped
1 cup chopped carrots
1/2 cup chopped celery

Seasonings and Broth

2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
6 cups broth (chicken or vegetable)
Salt and black pepper, to taste

Beans, Greens, and Dairy

2 cans white beans, drained and rinsed
2 cups baby spinach
1 cup whole milk or cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Citrus and Garnish

Zest and juice of 1 lemon
Chopped fresh parsley, for serving

Instructions

Prepare Tomatoes and Heat Oil: Drain 3 tablespoons of oil from the sun-dried tomato jar into a Dutch oven. Chop the sun-dried tomatoes finely and set them aside to use later in the soup.
Cook Sausage and Vegetables: Place the Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the spicy Italian chicken sausage and chopped yellow onion. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until the sausage is browned and the onions are softened. Then add the chopped shallots, garlic, carrots, celery, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Sauté everything together for about 5 minutes until fragrant and the vegetables start to soften.
Add Broth and Simmer: Pour in the broth and bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat. Let it simmer for 10 minutes or until the vegetables are tender and flavors meld together.
Add Greens, Beans, and Dairy: Stir in the baby spinach, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and drained white beans. Mix in the whole milk or cream, grated Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Cook the soup for an additional few minutes just until everything is warmed through and well combined.
Serve and Garnish: Ladle the soup into bowls. Garnish with extra grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley. Enjoy the soup warm, ideally served with some crusty bread on the side.

Notes

Use chicken or vegetable broth depending on your preference for a lighter or richer flavor.
Spicy Italian sausage can be substituted with mild sausage or a plant-based sausage alternative for a different taste or dietary needs.
Adjust the seasoning to taste; add more lemon juice for brightness or additional Parmesan for extra creaminess.
This soup stores well and tastes great the next day, making it ideal for meal prep.
For a dairy-free option, substitute cream and Parmesan with coconut cream and nutritional yeast respectively.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Soup
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Tuscan Italian

Keywords: Tuscan soup, white bean soup, creamy soup, Italian sausage soup, lemon soup, spinach soup