SMOKED SAUSAGE AND BAKED BEAN SOUP

Smoked Sausage and Baked Bean Soup image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 35m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
20 smoked cocktail sausages (half of a 14-ounce package), halved
2 stalks celery, diced
1 carrot, diced
1 small onion, chopped
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1 14-ounce can cherry tomatoes
1 15-ounce can white beans (do not drain)
1 8-ounce can baked beans
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
2 tablespoons roughly chopped fresh parsley
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (about 4 ounces)

Steps:

Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the sausages and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned and crisp, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate with a slotted spoon.
Add the celery, carrot and onion to the pot and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add the cherry tomatoes, white beans (and their liquid), baked beans, chicken broth and 2 1/2 cups water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium and continue cooking until the soup thickens slightly and the tomatoes just start bursting, about 20 minutes.
Return the sausages to the pot along with the parsley; season with salt and pepper. Top each serving of soup with the cheese.