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 leaves (no sprigs); 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (to taste); Salt and pepper, to taste; 2 medium carrots, sliced; 15 oz cannellini beans, canned, rinsed and drained; 5 oz fresh spinach; 4 cups chicken stock; 1/2 cup heavy cream

There’s something about a warm bowl of hearty soup that just hits the spot — and this Spicy Sausage White Bean Soup Recipe does exactly that. It’s creamy, comforting, and has just the right kick to keep things interesting. Honestly, it’s become one of my favorite go-to soups when I want something cozy yet satisfying.

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

This soup feels like a warm hug in a bowl. I love that it comes together in one pot and balances spicy sausage with creamy white beans and fresh spinach. Every spoonful delivers a mix of textures and layers of flavor that just make you want to keep eating.

Easy One-Pot Meal: You cook everything in one saucepan, making cleanup quick and keeping things simple on busy days.
Balanced Flavors: The spicy sausage adds heat, while the creamy white beans and heavy cream mellow it out perfectly.
Veggie-Packed: Carrots, onions, garlic, and spinach make it wholesome and add vibrant color and texture.
Make-Ahead Friendly: This soup stores beautifully in the fridge or freezer, so it’s great for meal prep or leftovers.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient here plays its part to build a comforting, hearty soup. I always look for spicy Italian sausage that adds a good kick without overpowering the other flavors. Fresh thyme and red pepper flakes layer in subtle heat and aroma, while cannellini beans give creamy texture and protein. Plus, fresh spinach at the end brightens things up and adds a nice pop of color.

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: Provides bold, savory flavor and heat; choose fresh sausage for the best texture.
Onion: Gives a sweet, aromatic base when softened.
Garlic: Adds depth and warmth to every spoonful.
Italian Seasoning: Earthy herbs like oregano and basil tie everything together.
Fresh Thyme: Brightens the soup with subtle herbal notes; fresh is preferable over dried.
Red Pepper Flakes: Adds just enough heat — adjust according to your spice tolerance.
Carrots: Introduce a mild sweetness and lovely color contrast.
Cannellini Beans: Creamy texture and protein, plus they thicken the broth.
Chicken Stock: The savory liquid foundation that melds all flavors.
Fresh Spinach: Adds freshness and a healthy green boost near the end of cooking.
Heavy Cream: Creates a silky, luscious broth that smooths out the spice level.
Salt and Pepper: Essential to bring out all those delicious flavors.

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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 like to tweak this Spicy Sausage White Bean Soup Recipe depending on my mood and what’s in the fridge. Sometimes I add a splash more cream for extra richness, or a handful of kale instead of spinach to change up the texture. Feel free to experiment—the basics are solid, so your creativity will shine through.

Variation: Once I swapped the Italian sausage for smoky chorizo — it gave the soup a new, smoky depth without losing that spicy kick. You might want to try it too if you want a twist!
Dairy-Free Option: Substitute the heavy cream with coconut milk or leave it out entirely for a lighter soup that still packs flavor.
Make it Vegetarian: Use plant-based sausage or omit it and add extra beans and mushrooms for a hearty, meatless version.
More Heat: If you love spicy, add extra red pepper flakes or toss in some diced jalapeños during cooking.

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 warming your large saucepan over medium heat—then add the crumbled spicy Italian sausage along with chopped onion, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, fresh thyme leaves (no woody sprigs!), and red pepper flakes. Stir regularly and break up the sausage as it cooks. After about 5 minutes, your onions should be translucent and lightly caramelized, and the sausage cooked through. This step builds a fragrant, flavor-packed base.

Step 2: Add Carrots and Half the Beans

Next, stir in sliced carrots and half of your rinsed cannellini beans. These ingredients need a little time to absorb the flavors and soften up, so cook them with the sausage mixture for a couple of minutes before moving on.

Step 3: Pour in the Chicken Stock and Simmer

Pour 4 cups of chicken stock into the pot, give everything a good stir, and cover with a lid. Bring it up to a boil, then reduce the heat so you have a gentle simmer. Let it cook for about 15 to 20 minutes until the carrots become tender and all those flavors are happy friends hanging out together.

Step 4: Add Spinach and Blend the Remaining Beans

Once your carrots are tender, add the fresh spinach and the remaining half of the white beans. Cover the pot and let the spinach wilt gently. Now, here’s a neat trick: for that signature creamy texture, I either blend the remaining beans with a ladle of soup liquid (without sausage) in a blender or mash the beans with a fork if I want a bit more chunkiness. Then, mix the blended or mashed beans back into the pot along with the spinach.

Step 5: Finish with Cream and Season Well

After the spinach has fully wilted, take the soup off the heat and stir in the heavy cream, which adds wonderful richness and balances the spice. Taste it and adjust salt, pepper, and extra red pepper flakes if you like it hotter. If the soup feels too thick, just add a bit more chicken stock or even water to get your ideal consistency.

Top Tip

I’ve found that a few simple adjustments make all the difference with this Spicy Sausage White Bean Soup Recipe. After a few tries, I realized these tips keep the flavors vibrant and help you avoid common pitfalls.

Don't Skip Fresh Thyme: The fresh leaves add that bright herbal note — dried thyme can’t quite replace it.
Control the Heat: Add red pepper flakes little by little. You can always add more later once the soup is finished.
Blend Some Beans: Blending half the beans is my secret for a creamy, satisfying mouthfeel without using too much cream.
Cook Carrots Until Tender: Undercooked carrots can feel tough, so give them that full 15-20 minutes to soften nicely.

How to Serve Spicy Sausage White Bean Soup Recipe

Spicy Sausage White Bean - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually finish my bowls with a sprinkle of fresh thyme leaves for that pretty herbal touch. A little drizzle of good olive oil or a dusting of grated Parmesan cheese also works wonders here. Sometimes, I add a couple of torn basil leaves to brighten it even more. It’s all about that extra layer of flavor and a pop of color.

Side Dishes

This soup is pretty filling on its own, but I like serving it with crusty garlic bread or warm focaccia for dunking. Roasted Brussels sprouts or a simple arugula salad also pair beautifully to add some fresh crunch alongside the soup’s creaminess.

Creative Ways to Present

For dinner parties, I love serving it in rustic bowls with a swirl of cream on top and some toasted pine nuts sprinkled over the garnish. You can also ladle the soup into hollowed-out bread bowls for a comforting, edible presentation that impresses guests and makes mealtime extra fun.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, I transfer leftover soup into airtight containers and keep it in the fridge. It stays delicious for up to 4 days — in fact, the flavors only deepen after resting overnight!

Freezing

This soup freezes beautifully. I pop it into freezer-safe containers, leaving some room for expansion, and it lasts up to 3 months. When I’m ready to enjoy it, I thaw it in the fridge overnight to keep the creamy texture intact.

Reheating

For best results, I reheat the soup slowly over medium-low heat on the stovetop, stirring frequently. If it gets a bit thick, I add a splash of chicken stock or water to loosen it up. You’ll want to heat it gently so the cream doesn’t separate and stay silky smooth.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this Spicy Sausage White Bean Soup Recipe vegetarian?

Absolutely! You can swap the spicy Italian sausage for plant-based sausage alternatives or omit it entirely. Increasing the amount of beans and adding mushrooms or smoked paprika will help keep it hearty and flavorful.

How spicy is this Spicy Sausage White Bean Soup Recipe?

The sausage and red pepper flakes lend a noticeable but balanced heat that warms your palate without overwhelming it. You can easily adjust the spiciness by using milder sausage or reducing the amount of red pepper flakes, or kick it up by adding more to your taste.

Can I use dried beans instead of canned for this soup?

Yes, you can! Just be sure to soak and cook the dried cannellini beans thoroughly before adding them to the soup. Using canned beans saves time and ensures the beans don’t overcook during the simmering process.

What’s the best way to thicken this soup further?

If you want a thicker soup, blend more of the beans with some of the broth and stir it back in. You can also increase the amount of heavy cream or reduce the stock slightly while cooking. Mashing some beans with a fork directly in the pot also adds body while keeping a nice texture.

Final Thoughts

This Spicy Sausage White Bean Soup Recipe holds a special place in my dinner rotation because it’s quick to make, comforts like a warm blanket, and never gets boring. I hope you find it as satisfying and versatile as I do—perfect for those cozy evenings or anytime you want a bowl of something nourishing and delicious. Give it a try and make it your own; I bet it’ll become a favorite in your kitchen too.