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Tuscan Sausage & Potato Soup

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 7 hours
Total Time 7 hours 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • 4 oz. pancetta cubed
  • 2 lbs. bulk mild sausage
  • 2 15- oz. cans cannellini beans*
  • 6-7 c. chicken stock divided
  • 1 T. crushed red pepper flakes
  • 2-3 cloves fresh garlic finely minced
  • 1 small yellow onion finely chopped
  • 2 lbs. Russet potatoes peeled and cut
  • into small chunks
  • 3 ” hard Parmesan cheese rind
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • ½ c. half and half tempered**
  • 3 c. fresh kale finely chopped
  • ½ c. Parmesan cheese freshly grated

Instructions

  • 1. Brown pancetta in large skillet over medium-high heat for 2 or 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add sausage to the same skillet and brown, breaking it up into small bite-sized chunks with a spatula while it cooks. Remove from heat and carefully drain excess fat from pan. Transfer pancetta and sausage to a 5 or 6- quart slow cooker crock.
  • 2. Puree one can of cannellini beans (undrained) in a blender or food processor. Drain and rinse the other can of cannellini beans and add the puree and whole beans to slow cooker crock.
  • 3. Add 6 cups chicken stock, red pepper flakes, chopped onion, potatoes, and Parmesan cheese rind to crock and stir to combine. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste.
  • 4. Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-7. Remove lid and add tempered half and half, kale, freshly grated Parmesan cheese and remaining chicken stock, if necessary, to achieve the desired consistency. Stir to combine and allow 5-10 minutes for kale to soften before serving.

Notes

For less salt, drain and rinse both cans of cannellini beans before pureeing one can with a little water.
Temper the half and half by adding a little bit of the hot liquid to it before stirring it into the slow cooker crock.