Description
Hearty Polish-inspired “Creamy Bean Soup with Kielbasa” delivers comforting warmth in every spoonful. Rich sausage and smooth beans blend seamlessly, offering satisfying flavors you’ll crave during chilly evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound kielbasa sausage, sliced into ¼-inch rounds
Vegetables:
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings and Other Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 4 cups (32 fluid ounces) low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 cans (15 ounces each) Great Northern beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup (8 fluid ounces) heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- Salt, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Initiate the flavor foundation by searing kielbasa in a spacious pot, transforming the sausage into a rich, caramelized delicacy. Extract the browned pieces, preserving their robust essence for later incorporation.
- Utilize the residual oils to sauté a vibrant medley of onions, carrots, and celery until they soften and release their aromatic qualities. Introduce garlic, smoked paprika, thyme, oregano, and black pepper, allowing the spices to bloom and intensify the vegetable base.
- Reintroduce the kielbasa to the vegetable ensemble, creating a harmonious blend of flavors. Pour in chicken broth and Great Northern beans, elevating the mixture to a gentle boil before reducing to a tranquil simmer.
- Craft a silky thickening agent by whisking heavy cream with all-purpose flour until achieving a seamless, lump-free consistency. Gradually incorporate this mixture into the simmering soup, stirring consistently to maintain a smooth texture.
- Allow the soup to gently thicken, developing a luxurious, creamy consistency. Calibrate the seasoning with salt, ensuring a perfectly balanced flavor profile. Serve the soup piping hot, optionally adorned with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a vibrant finish.
Notes
- Switch kielbasa for turkey sausage to create a leaner protein option with similar smoky flavor profile.
- Blend half the beans before adding to create ultra-creamy texture without extra heavy cream.
- Consider using gluten-free flour or cornstarch as thickening alternative for those with wheat sensitivities.
- Enhance nutrition by adding chopped kale or spinach during last 5 minutes of simmering for extra vitamins and fiber.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Polish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg