ITALIAN SAUSAGE BEAN SOUP

Italian Sausage Bean Soup image

In the cold months, I like to put on a big pot of this comforting soup. It cooks away while I do other things, such as baking bread, crafting or even cleaning the house. -Glenna Reimer, Gig Harbor, Washington

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Lunch

Time 1h50m

Yield 8 servings (3 quarts).

Number Of Ingredients 12

Ingredients

1 pound bulk Italian sausage
1 medium onion, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, sliced
4 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) reduced-sodium chicken broth
2 cans (15 ounces each) pinto beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 cup medium pearl barley
1 large carrot, sliced
1 celery rib, sliced
1 teaspoon minced fresh sage
1/2 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary or 1/8 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
6 cups chopped fresh kale

Steps:

In a Dutch oven, cook sausage and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Drain., Stir in the broth, beans, tomatoes, barley, carrot, celery, sage and rosemary. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 45 minutes., Stir in kale; return to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 25-30 minutes or until vegetables are tender.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 339 calories, Fat 9g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 23mg cholesterol, Sodium 1100mg sodium, Carbohydrate 48g carbohydrate (7g sugars, Fiber 11g fiber), Protein 19g protein.