Smoked Sausage and White Bean Soup

By lindaauman

Ingredients

• 1 lb. smoked sausage, sliced
• 1 cup carrot, sliced or diced
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 sprigs of fresh thyme
• 2 (15.8 ounce) cans BUSH’S® Great Northern Beans, drained
• 2-3 cups chicken stock
• 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped or 12 ounces frozen, thawed and squeezed to drain
• pinch of Smoked paprika
• 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan or Asiago cheese (optional)

Details

Adapted from keyingredient.com

Preparation

Step 1

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a 4-quart saucepan or dutch-oven over medium-high heat. Add sausage medallions and cook, turning occasionally, until browned and cooked through, about 15 minutes. Transfer sausage to a plate.
Heat remaining oil in same pan. Cook carrots, garlic, oregano, black pepper and thyme sprigs about 5 minutes; stir often.
Return sausage (and any juices) to pan. Add beans and broth and cook on medium-low heat, crushing a few beans with the back of a spoon to thicken sauce, until slightly thickened, 8-10 minutes.
Season with salt and smoked paprika. Cover and simmer 30 minutes over low heat.
Add spinach and cook just until wilted, about 2 minutes.
Serve topped with cheese, if desired.

Use less broth if you prefer it to be 'more stew like' and more broth if you prefer it to be more 'soup like'