Name: Spicy Sausage White Bean Soup Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 19 oz spicy (hot) crumbled Italian sausage; 1 small onion (chopped); 4 cloves garlic (minced); 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (or Herbs from Provence); 1 tablespoon fresh thyme (no sprigs, just leaves); 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (to taste); 2 medium carrots (sliced); 15 oz cannellini beans (canned, rinsed and drained); 4 cups chicken stock; 5 oz fresh spinach; ½ cup heavy cream; salt and pepper (to taste)

There’s something so satisfying about a bowl of warm soup that hugs you from the inside out. This Spicy Sausage White Bean Soup Recipe packs just the right amount of heat, heartiness, and creaminess—perfect for chilly evenings or any time you want a comforting meal without fuss.

This dish shows a white bowl filled with creamy soup that has about four main layers: a creamy light orange liquid base with some oil droplets on top, white large beans scattered throughout, orange carrot pieces mixed in, and some dark green spinach leaves and small brown sausage chunks spread evenly. Tiny green herb sprigs are sprinkled over everything, adding texture and color contrast. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface with a few green herb stems beside it. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Spicy Sausage White Bean Soup Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Spicy Sausage White Bean Soup Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Spicy Sausage White Bean Soup Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve kept this soup in my regular rotation because it balances bold spice with mild, creamy white beans and fresh herbs perfectly. It’s an effortless dish that thankfully feels homemade and special, every time.

One-pot magic: Everything cooks right in one pan, so cleanup is refreshingly easy after a delicious meal.
Balanced heat: The spicy sausage gives just enough kick without overwhelming the comforting creamy base.
Veggie-packed comfort: Carrots, spinach, and beans sneak in nutrients and great texture to keep it wholesome.
Flexible and forgiving: Customize the spice and creaminess to your liking, making it your own every time.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient pulls its weight in flavor and texture, creating a soulful soup. When shopping, look for quality spicy Italian sausage to anchor the dish, and fresh herbs to brighten up every spoonful.

Flat lay of spicy crumbled Italian sausage, a small white onion, four cloves of garlic, a small white ceramic bowl with Italian seasoning herbs, a small white ceramic bowl filled with fresh thyme leaves, a small white ceramic bowl with red pepper flakes, two sliced medium fresh carrots, a simple white ceramic bowl of rinsed cannellini beans, a small white ceramic bowl filled with chicken stock, fresh green spinach leaves, a small white ceramic bowl holding heavy cream, a small white ceramic bowl with salt, and a small white ceramic bowl with black pepper placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Spicy Italian sausage: The star of the show. Its bold flavor and fat render out to create a rich broth base.
Onion: Adds sweetness and depth once lightly browned with the sausage.
Garlic: Provides that classic savory punch without overpowering the dish.
Italian seasoning & fresh thyme: These herbs give an aromatic earthiness that lifts the entire soup.
Red pepper flakes: Customize the heat level here—start small, you can always add more.
Carrots: Bring natural sweetness and a pleasant bite to balance the sausage’s spice.
Cannellini beans: Creamy and comforting, they add protein and fiber to this hearty bowl.
Chicken stock: The flavorful liquid base infused with sausage and veggies, crucial for depth.
Fresh spinach: Adds pops of color and freshness, wilting beautifully into the hot broth.
Heavy cream: Makes the soup luxuriously silky and smooth.
Salt & pepper: Simple seasonings that you’ll adjust last to bring everything together.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love experimenting with the spice levels and the texture of this soup. Sometimes I blend half the beans for silky smoothness, or mash them coarsely when I’m craving a chunkier bite. Trust me, you’ll find what feels just right for you.

Variation: For a milder version, swap the spicy sausage for sweet Italian sausage and ease up on the red pepper flakes. It’s still wonderfully flavorful without the heat.
Make it vegan: Use plant-based sausage and vegetable broth, skip the cream or use a nut-based alternative. You might lose some richness, but you’ll keep the soul.
Seasonal swaps: In cooler months, I sometimes add chopped kale instead of spinach for a heartier texture.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Spicy Sausage White Bean Soup Recipe

A round white pan with black handles shows three main layers of food inside. The bottom layer has cooked browned meat mixed with small bits of light brown onions spread evenly. On top of this, on the left side, there is a pile of large, smooth, white beans. On the right side, there are bright orange carrot pieces cut into small, chunky halves. The pan is placed on a dark wooden surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Sauté the Sausage and Aromatics

Start by browning the crumbled spicy Italian sausage in a large saucepan over medium heat. As it begins to release its flavorful fat, toss in the chopped onion, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, fresh thyme leaves, and red pepper flakes. Stir regularly to break up the sausage and soften the onion gently. This takes about 5 minutes. Keep a close eye to prevent burning—just aim for a light golden color on the onion to develop a sweet base.

Step 2: Build Your Soup with Veggies and Beans

Add sliced carrots and half of the rinsed and drained cannellini beans to the pan. Stir everything together before pouring in your chicken stock. Cover the pot, increase heat, and bring it to a boil. Then, lower to a simmer and cook gently for 15-20 minutes, until the carrots are tender and the soup’s flavors are melding beautifully.

Step 3: Add Spinach and Blend for Texture

Now’s the fun part. Toss in the fresh spinach and the remaining half of the white beans. Cover again to let the spinach wilt over low heat as you prepare to customize the texture. If you want a creamy smooth soup, ladle out the beans with some broth (no sausage) and blend until silky. For chunkier, mash the beans with a fork. Then stir your chosen bean texture back into the pot with the spinach and keep it warm.

Step 4: Finish with Cream and Seasoning

Remove from heat and stir in the heavy cream for that rich, velvety finish. Adjust the consistency with a splash more stock if it’s too thick, or add extra cream to up the indulgence. Finally, season well with salt, pepper, and a sprinkle more red pepper flakes if you want more fire. Don’t forget a few sprigs of fresh thyme on top just before serving to brighten the flavors.

Top Tip

From countless batches, I learned that the key to this Spicy Sausage White Bean Soup Recipe’s success is layering flavors gradually and not rushing the sausage browning. This step sets the stage for the whole pot.

Take your time browning sausage: Let it render fat and develop color before adding other ingredients for a rich base.
Customize spice carefully: Add red pepper flakes in small increments—once they’re in, the heat amplifies during simmering.
Blend half the beans: It’s a game changer for creamy texture without adding extra thickening agents.
Don’t skip fresh herbs at the end: Thyme really brightens and balances the rich flavors when added just before serving.

How to Serve Spicy Sausage White Bean Soup Recipe

Garnishes

I love topping this soup with fresh thyme sprigs and an extra pinch of red pepper flakes for a little visual and flavor pop. Sometimes, a drizzle of good olive oil or a few shavings of Parmesan elevate it to something fancy enough for guests.

Side Dishes

Crusty bread or toasted garlic baguette slices are my go-to accompanying sides. They soak up the rich, slightly spicy broth perfectly and add a welcomed crunch.

Creative Ways to Present

For dinner parties, I like serving this soup in small mugs with a garnish of chopped parsley and a dollop of sour cream stirred in at the table. It’s cozy, rustic, and invites everyone to customize their bowl.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover soup in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 4 days. The flavors actually deepen, making the next meal even better. Just give it a good stir before reheating.

Freezing

This soup freezes beautifully. Cool completely and portion out into freezer-safe containers. When you thaw and reheat, you might want to add a splash of stock or cream since the beans can thicken the soup a bit.

Reheating

Gently reheat soup over medium-low heat on the stove, stirring occasionally. Avoid microwaving at high power to keep the cream from breaking. Add a little broth or cream to loosen it back up if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this soup vegetarian or vegan?

Absolutely! To make the Spicy Sausage White Bean Soup Recipe vegetarian or vegan, substitute the spicy sausage with your favorite plant-based sausage or hearty mushrooms, use vegetable stock, and replace heavy cream with coconut or cashew cream to maintain richness.

How spicy is this soup and can I adjust it?

The soup has a pleasant spicy kick from the Italian sausage and red pepper flakes, but it’s easily adjustable. Start with less red pepper flakes and add to taste at the end. You can also swap spicy sausage for milder types if preferred.

Can I prepare this soup ahead of time?

Yes, this soup is perfect for meal prep. It stores well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Just reheat gently and add a splash of stock or cream if it thickens.

What’s the best way to thicken or thin the soup?

To thicken, blend or mash part of the beans and stir them back in—it gives great body without extra thickeners. To thin the soup, simply add more chicken stock or some water, stirring until the desired consistency is reached.

Final Thoughts

This Spicy Sausage White Bean Soup Recipe is one of those dishes I always fall back on when I want something comforting but not complicated. It feels like a warm hug, and I know you’ll enjoy making it as much as eating it. Next time your fridge and pantry are calling for an easy meal with depth and heart, give this one a go—you’ll be so glad you did.