Simmer a pot of this Sausage and Kale Soup recipe to warm both your kitchen and your belly. The ingredients are simple–sausage, kale, white beans, veggies, and broth–but the flavor is like a huge warm hug ready in under an hour. Serve with crusty bread and snuggle into the cooler months.

Sausage and kale soup recipe garnished with shaved parmesan cheese, and served with crusty bread

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Helpful Reader Review

“Delicious!! This soup came out so flavorful and hearty without being too heavy, so I will be making this one a lot this winter! Thank you for your wonderful recipes, they always come out amazing!” – Lisa ★★★★★

Sausage Kale Soup Recipe

This white bean, sausage, and kale soup recipe is a wholesome comfort food, y’all, plus it’s totally easy to make. I was flipping through an issue of Food Network Magazine (one of my favorite subscriptions) when I spotted Giada’s “House Soup,” and I was like – YEEES!

Luckily, I had comparable ingredients on hand and made it twice that week with a few tweaks. I like the idea of using raw sausages instead of cooked because you can slice them into fuss-free meatballs and they infuse the soup with wonderful flavor. And the parmesan – don’t skip it.

I love the challenge of recreating copycat recipes, like my Monterey Chicken (Chili’s), Pasta e Fagioli (Olive Garden), and Bang Bang Shrimp (Bonefish Grill), that better fit my family’s tastes and budget. This version of Giada’s Sausage and Kale Soup is one of our favorites!

White bean, Sausage and kale soup in a white bowl with carrots and parmesan cheese

Ingredients for Sausage, Kale White Bean Soup

Reach into your pantry to find most of the ingredients for Sausage, Kale, and White Bean Soup. It’s perfect for those winter days when fresh ingredients are scarce, but you want something nourishing.

  • Sausages – raw Johnsonville Brats Original Sausages, sliced into 1/2″ thick chunks. I left the skin on, because it held the easy “meatballs” together, but you can peel it off if you prefer. You can swap with smoked sausage sliced into coins.
  • Vegetables – 1 finely chopped onion, 1 diced tomato, 2 carrots sliced into rings, and minced garlic
  • Beans – 1 can (15 oz) white beans with their juice (or make your own) – the juice helps to thicken the soup and gives great flavor
  • Chicken broth or stock – use my homemade recipe or low-sodium store-bought cartons
  • Kale – ribs removed and coarsely chopped. You can substitute spinach, but it will wilt much more.
  • Grated parmesan – optional (but don’t skip it), to garnish and serve
Ingredients for hearty Fall recipe including bratwurst, tomatoes, onion, carrots, chicken broth, white beans, and greens

How to Make Sausage and Kale Soup

This one-pot meal cooks up in a large Dutch oven or stockpot.

  1. Brown the sausage – Slice the sausage into large chunks and brown in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium/high heat until golden brown.
How to slice brats into chunks and cook in a Dutch oven
  1. Sauté veggies – the onions and cook for 3 minutes, and then toss in the tomatoes and carrots to cook for another 5 minutes.
How to add vegetables to a stock pot for making stew including onions, carrots, brats, and tomatoes.
  1. Add garlic to cook for 1 minute until you can smell it, and then add the chicken broth. Bring to a boil.
How to make sausage and Kale soup recipe with bratwurst, carrots, garlic and chicken stock
  1. Stir in the beans and kale and cook for 5 minutes, then add salt and pepper to taste, and garnish with Parmesan cheese to serve.
Before and after photos of Kale wilting after add it to sausage and kale soup recipe

Serve Soup With

Once the kale has wilted and the white beans are cooked through, remove the soup from the heat. We garnish with salty Parmesan cheese, but you can also add a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat, or crispy Bacon crumbled on top. Pair with one of these crusty bread recipes:

Soup ladle with sausage, white beans, sauce, kale and carrot soup over a Dutch oven.

Everyone loves this hearty and comforting White Bean, Sausage, and Kale Soup recipe. It’s perfect for those winter months when you want a hearty, warm meal without spending hours in the kitchen, and then just pair it with Crusty French Bread for the perfect one-pot soup.

Sausage, Kale and White Bean Soup

5 from 42 votes
Bowl of Sausage and Kale Soup recipe in a white bowl with slices of carrot and parmesan cheese on top
This Sausage and Kale Soup is a hearty comfort food that comes together in just one pot! The sausages make easy, fuss-free meatballs, and they infuse the soup with great flavor. It's full of veggies and bone broth–great ingredients any time of the year. Mix up a pot of this soup for the perfect Fall and Winter meal paired with crusty bread.
Each serving is about 1 1/2 – 2 cups.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 7 bowls of soup
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb Raw Johnsonville brats Original Sausages, sliced into 1/2" thick rings*
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 1 large or 2 medium ripe tomatoes, diced
  • 2 medium carrots, sliced into rings
  • 1 large garlic clove, minced
  • 1 can, 15 oz white beans with their juice (or make your own)
  • 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth/stock
  • 4 medium kale leaves, ribs removed and coarsely chopped
  • Salt and Pepper to Taste
  • Grated parmesan to garnish and serve

Instructions

  • Brown the sausage – Heat a large heavy bottomed pot over med/high heat and add 2 Tbsp olive oil. Slice sausages and add to hot oil and saute 5 minutes or until golden brown.
  • Sauté veggies – Add diced onions and sauté another 3 minutes. Add carrots and tomatoes, and sauté another 5 minutes until softened.
  • Add garlic and stir until fragrant (1 min), then add 8 cups of chicken broth and bring to a boil.
  • Stir in beans and kale and cook until kale is tender (5 min). Season to taste with salt and pepper (I added 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper), then remove from heat. Serve garnished with Parmesan cheese.

Notes

*To make these “meatballs,” I left the sausage skins. Alternatively, you can remove the casing if you prefer and have clumps of sausage meat, which would still taste great!
Storage – Cool leftovers until room temperature in under 2 hours, and then pack the soup in an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. This soup doesn’t freeze well because the beans and kale tend to get mushy or grainy when reheated.
To reheat, heat in the microwave until at least 165°F or on the stovetop to a rolling boil. 

Nutrition Per Serving

315kcal Calories9g Carbs15g Protein25g Fat8g Saturated Fat3g Polyunsaturated Fat13g Monounsaturated Fat48mg Cholesterol646mg Sodium601mg Potassium1g Fiber2g Sugar3690IU Vitamin A11mg Vitamin C57mg Calcium1mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Sausage, Kale and White Bean Soup
Amount per Serving
Calories
315
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
25
g
38
%
Saturated Fat
 
8
g
50
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
3
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
13
g
Cholesterol
 
48
mg
16
%
Sodium
 
646
mg
28
%
Potassium
 
601
mg
17
%
Carbohydrates
 
9
g
3
%
Fiber
 
1
g
4
%
Sugar
 
2
g
2
%
Protein
 
15
g
30
%
Vitamin A
 
3690
IU
74
%
Vitamin C
 
11
mg
13
%
Calcium
 
57
mg
6
%
Iron
 
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Soup
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: sausage and kale soup, sausage and kale soup recipe
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $$
Calories: 315
Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook

More Soup Recipes to Try

Fall is soup season in our family! This Sausage and Kale Soup is always one of our first bowls, but then, we enjoy these other delicious and easy soup recipes:

5 from 42 votes (16 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Dan
    November 30, 2020

    Hi Natasha. Thank you for this recipe. I’ve made it 3 times, this last time being a double batch.
    How long do you think it lasts in the fridge?

    Reply

    • Natasha
      November 30, 2020

      Hi Dan, I would store covered in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. I’m so glad you love the recipe!

      Reply

  • Valya L
    March 16, 2020

    This is one of my favorites!
    I always rinse the beans so I did this time as well.
    What a great find!!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      March 16, 2020

      I’m glad that you loved this recipe! Thanks for your fantastic review and I hope you love every recipe that you try.

      Reply

  • vesna
    June 14, 2019

    Love this! I did as written except I rinsed the beans instead of using the water from the can

    I have tried a few of your recipes and so far I have not been disappointed. Thank you!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      June 14, 2019

      Awww that’s the best! Thank you so much for sharing that with me, Vesna. I’m all smiles!

      Reply

  • Galina K.
    April 12, 2019

    This soup is the bomb🙌🏻 My new favorite 😍 thank you for the recipe Natasha😘

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      April 12, 2019

      You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it Galina!

      Reply

  • Natasha
    January 25, 2019

    From one Natasha’s kitchen to another this soup is fabulous! I used veg broth with the sausage ( it’s a weird mixing of the meats thing lol) .. also added alot more kale and another can of white beans and added left over butter but squash …thanks for sharing !

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      January 25, 2019

      Hey, nice name 😉 Thank you so much for sharing that with me, Natasha!! I’m so happy you enjoyed that.

      Reply

    • MARGARET
      September 20, 2023

      Hi Natasha, The thing I love about your recipes is that they always WORK. They have clear instructions, they are always delicious, they are easy, and the ingredients I have on hand or are easy to find in any grocery store. I tried this delicious soup, Pasta e Fagioli, Zuppa Toscana. My family loved them ALL and I’ve given them to neighbors and friends with rave reviews, as well. They were ALL winners!

      Reply

      • NatashasKitchen.com
        September 20, 2023

        Hi Margaret! That’s amazing. Thank you so much for sharing the wonderful feedback. I’m so glad to hear that.

        Reply

  • Ann
    December 12, 2018

    So delicious! My family loved it! The sausage is flavorful and pairs nicely with the kale. Recipe was easy to make and lends itself to variation. We added extra garlic, a little more kale and because we didn’t have the exact beans or fresh tomatoes, we used garbanzo beans, spaghetti sauce and a spoonful of sun dried tomatoes. We omitted the cheese and served with freshly cooked white rice. The second recipe I tried from your collection and another awesome meal!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      December 12, 2018

      That’s just awesome!! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review, Ann 🙂

      Reply

  • Alena
    November 13, 2018

    Hi Natasha, can I use generic mild Italian sausage for this recipe?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      November 13, 2018

      That should work great!

      Reply

  • Ben
    October 8, 2018

    So this is the third recipe from your site that I have made, and each one has been spectacular. I’ve been in a soup mood as it’s been uncharacteristicly cold lately, and between this, the chicken and dumplings, and beef stew (I’ll be making the lamb stew someday soon as well), I believe I have a solid lineup of warming meals for the cold times to come.

    Other than some minor alterations (I used mild italian sausages, and vegetable broth for this soup) I followed the recipe as written. It was very simple to make and so good I couldn’t stop myself from having a second bowl. Also on the skin/no skin for the sausages. I’d recommend removing the skin and forming bite sized balls with the meat. When I make this again I’ll be forming the meat into 1/2″ balls instead of 1″.

    I will definitely be using this site as one of my primary recipe resources when I’m looking for something new. I’ve already seen a few that I want to try out sometime in the near future.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      October 8, 2018

      I’m so happy you enjoyed this! I agree this recipe is perfect for fall! Thank you for sharing your versions with us!

      Reply

  • Galina
    September 7, 2018

    Hi Natasha, your recipes are all so great and simple! I’m making this soup right now, added potatoes to it and was wondering if adding like a cup of half and half would be a little too much? Thanks in advance!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      September 7, 2018

      Hi Galina. I haven’t tried this with half and half before so I can’t say how much to put in. I think it may work. Please let me know how you like it with that change.

      Reply

      • Galina
        September 10, 2018

        Hi so I did add about a cup of half and half and turned out great. By the end of the day the soup was gone. Thank you!

        Reply

        • Natashas Kitchen
          September 10, 2018

          That’s so great! Thank you for the feedback!

          Reply

          • Sandy H
            October 10, 2025

            I make this recipe, and I always add dairy to it. Just my preference. I’m sure it’s delicious without the dairy, but give it a try if you haven’t. Gilding the lily. Lol

  • Ildi
    June 10, 2018

    So, I just made this yesterday since it’s rainy season here and needed some comfort food.
    But I only had bacon on hand, so I made it with that. It was still delicious!
    Thank you for the recipe again!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      June 11, 2018

      You are so welcome! Glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply

  • Natasha S
    August 17, 2017

    This soup is delicious! My hubby loved it so much and so did my kids. Instead of beans I added lentils because my kids not big fan of beans and it turn out very yummy and healthy.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      August 18, 2017

      I’m happy to hear your family enjoys the recipe as much as mine does! Thanks for sharing your great review Natasha!

      Reply

  • Natalya
    April 11, 2017

    Thank you for this recipe! Soup is delicious!!!

    Reply

  • Natalya
    April 11, 2017

    Thank you or this recipe ! Soup is delicious!!!!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      April 11, 2017

      My pleasure! Thanks for sharing! 😀

      Reply

  • Ildi
    January 27, 2017

    I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve made this soup and is still a hit and well loved by my family.

    I’m wondering if I could substitute the kale with another leafy green, I’m not sure I can find kale back in Eastern Europe. Would like to make it for my relatives there when we go.

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      January 27, 2017

      Hi Ildi, I think kale works best and I haven’t tested any other greens but I think spinach may work, although the texture wouldn’t be as nice as kale and it would cook faster. If you experiment with something different, let me know! 🙂

      Reply

      • Yana Zagorin
        May 26, 2017

        I used Swiss chard, it was delicious, even picky hubby ate it.

        Reply

        • Natasha's Kitchen
          May 26, 2017

          Yum, I’m happy to hear you both enjoyed it! Thanks for sharing Yana 🙂

          Reply

      • Laurie Herlihy
        August 2, 2017

        Any hearty green would stand up to this soup. Try beet, chard, dandelion or basically any other green you can find.

        Reply

    • Cookie
      November 1, 2024

      I make another soup recipe (Ground turkey and barley) that uses spinach in it; which I use a spinach, kale and chard mix when I can find it. But I have found that it is *much* better to add the greens when you are eating it, in the bottom of the bowl. Otherwise the greens get overcooked and slimy. Even if it’s the same or next day.
      Just my opinion. I’ve been making that soup for years, it’s a family favorite. I’m making this tonight, and I’m sure it will be a favorite as well!

      Btw, I love this website as well! I get so many recipes from here. 😍

      Reply

  • Mike
    December 18, 2016

    If I am making the soup a couple days in advance should I hold out the kale and lightly saute it and add it the day I plan to serve it?

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      December 19, 2016

      Hi Mike, leftovers of this soup were still good on day 2 (and it usually gets eaten before sitting longer than that) 🙂 But I do think it would be ok to make the entire soup 2 days in advance then refrigerate without having to add the kale later.

      Reply

  • Venus
    September 18, 2016

    Made this tonight, and so tasty! This recipe is a keeper.

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      September 18, 2016

      Thank you Venus, I’m glad you liked it 😀.

      Reply

      • Venus
        February 2, 2021

        Just wanted to let you know that this recipe is still going strong in my home! I’ve made it countless times. I love your site. It’s my go to for when I need meal ideas and inspiration. Thank you for sharing your recipes. ☺

        Reply

        • Natashas Kitchen
          February 2, 2021

          That’s when you know it’s good! Thank you for sharing this with us.

          Reply

  • Fleets
    June 7, 2016

    Natasha thank you for imagination of ‘simple food ‘. I have tried: Zuppa
    Toscana, White bean kale sausage, Greek Salad and English cumber, tomatoes, red onion. Love them all and have passed your web sight to friends. Would like more Mediterranean dishes. For I. On that type in f eating.

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      June 7, 2016

      You’re so very welcome. I’m happy to hear you are enjoying my recipes. Thank you for the great reviews! I really appreciate that you have shared my website with friends. That’s awesome!

      Reply

  • Angie
    March 14, 2016

    Do you think it would be Okay to add potatoes into the soup?

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      March 15, 2016

      Yes, I think that would work fine 🙂

      Reply

  • Natallia
    January 8, 2016

    This turned out really good! Thank you

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      January 8, 2016

      I’m glad you liked it Natallia and you are welcome 😀.

      Reply

  • MichelleD
    December 10, 2015

    Hi Natasha. I’m following you for a long time now, but this is my first comment… And first of all I have a big Thanks for you! second, I have a question : can I use here breakfast sausages… Don’t have time to read all the comments… You know how it is with babies… Thanks again. Your blog is really helpful

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      December 10, 2015

      HI Michelle :). You can use breakfast sausage. I think that would taste great!

      Reply

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