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Cozy Kielbasa and White Bean Soup: Easy 30-Minute Dinner

kielbasa and white bean soup - featured image

A quick and comforting soup with smoky kielbasa, creamy white beans, and a rich, savory broth. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 12–14 ounces kielbasa sausage, sliced into ½-inch rounds
  • 2 cans (15 ounces each) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
  • Grated Parmesan cheese (for garnish)
  • Crusty bread (for serving)

Instructions

  1. Prep the Vegetables: Dice the onion, carrots, and celery into roughly equal-sized pieces (about ½-inch). Mince the garlic. Slice the kielbasa into ½-inch rounds.
  2. Brown the Kielbasa: Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the sliced kielbasa in a single layer (you may need to do this in two batches). Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until nicely browned. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the browned kielbasa to a plate and set aside. Don’t wipe out the pot.
  3. Sauté the Aromatics: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Sauté for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have softened and the onion is translucent. If the pot looks dry, add a splash of the chicken broth. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds, until fragrant.
  4. Build the Broth: Pour in the chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the pot with your wooden spoon to release all the browned bits. Add the dried thyme, rosemary, smoked paprika, black pepper, and bay leaf. Stir to combine.
  5. Add the Beans: Add the drained and rinsed cannellini beans to the pot. Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer.
  6. Create the Creamy Texture: Using a potato masher or the back of a fork, gently mash about half of the beans right in the pot. This will thicken the broth and give it a luscious, creamy texture without any cream.
  7. Simmer and Finish: Return the browned kielbasa to the pot. Stir everything together. Let the soup simmer for 8-10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the soup to thicken slightly. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Remove the bay leaf before serving.
  8. Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls. Garnish with fresh parsley and a generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve immediately with crusty bread for dipping.

Notes

The soup will continue to thicken as it sits. If making ahead, add a splash of broth or water when reheating. For a vegetarian version, use plant-based sausage and vegetable broth. For a gluten-free version, check broth and kielbasa labels.

Nutrition

Keywords: kielbasa soup, white bean soup, easy dinner, 30-minute meal, comfort food, smoky sausage soup