Cozy Kielbasa & 15 Bean Soup: A Hearty Italian-Inspired Delight

There’s nothing quite like a steaming bowl of soup on a cool evening. My family’s version of Cozy Kielbasa & 15 Bean Soup is a true hug in a bowl. Growing up in Italy, I learned the magic of simple, wholesome ingredients. This soup captures that spirit. It’s incredibly hearty and comforting. I’ve made this Cozy Kielbasa & 15 Bean Soup countless times. It always brings smiles to faces. It’s a dish that truly warms the soul. It’s perfect for sharing with loved ones.

Why You’ll Love This Cozy Kielbasa & 15 Bean Soup

This Cozy Kielbasa & 15 Bean Soup is a winner for so many reasons:

  • It’s incredibly hearty and satisfying.
  • It offers deep, comforting flavors.
  • It’s surprisingly easy to prepare.
  • It’s a taste of tradition.

It reminds me of my grandmother’s kitchen. This soup is a family favorite.

Cozy Kielbasa & 15 Bean Soup - detail 1

The Heart of Your Kitchen: Ingredients for Cozy Kielbasa & 15 Bean Soup

Let’s gather everything we need for this wonderful Cozy Kielbasa & 15 Bean Soup. The star is 1 pound of kielbasa sausage, sliced into nice 1/2-inch rounds. Then, we have a large yellow onion, finely chopped. Three bright carrots and three crisp celery stalks join it, all chopped. Four cloves of garlic, minced, add a punch of flavor. We’ll use 8 cups of low-sodium chicken broth for our liquid base. A 15-ounce can of diced tomatoes, undrained, brings sweetness. The “15 bean” magic comes from a variety of canned beans. We need one 15-ounce can each of kidney beans, cannellini beans, great northern beans, black beans, and pinto beans. Make sure to rinse and drain them all before they go in the pot. A single bay leaf adds subtle depth. Finally, a teaspoon each of dried thyme and dried rosemary bring in lovely herbal notes. A pinch of salt and pepper will season it just right.

Crafting Your Cozy Kielbasa & 15 Bean Soup: Step-by-Step

Now for the fun part: making this delicious Cozy Kielbasa & 15 Bean Soup! It’s a simple process. It creates amazing flavor.

Browning the Kielbasa: The Flavor Foundation

First, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in your largest pot or Dutch oven. Use medium heat. Add the sliced kielbasa. Cook it until it’s nicely browned on both sides. This step is key! Browning the sausage builds a deep, savory flavor. It forms the delicious base for our Cozy Kielbasa & 15 Bean Soup. Once browned, take the kielbasa out. Set it aside for later.

Cozy Kielbasa & 15 Bean Soup - detail 2

Building the Flavor Base

In the same pot, add your chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Cook these veggies until they start to soften. This usually takes about 5 to 7 minutes. They should be tender-crisp. Then, add the minced garlic. Cook for just one more minute until you can smell its wonderful aroma. This fragrant mix is the aromatic heart of our Cozy Kielbasa & 15 Bean Soup. It makes everything smell amazing.

Bringing it All Together

Now, return the browned kielbasa to the pot. Pour in the 8 cups of chicken broth. Add the undrained diced tomatoes. Stir in all your rinsed and drained beans. Don’t forget the bay leaf, thyme, and rosemary. Give everything a good stir to combine. Bring this mixture slowly to a boil over medium-high heat. Watch it bubble up!

Cozy Kielbasa & 15 Bean Soup - detail 3

Simmering to Perfection

Once it boils, reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot tightly. Let your Cozy Kielbasa & 15 Bean Soup simmer gently. You want to cook it for at least 30 minutes. This simmering time allows all the flavors to meld together beautifully. The vegetables should become perfectly tender. You’ll know it’s ready when the beans are soft and the soup is rich. Remove the bay leaf before serving. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed. Your comforting Cozy Kielbasa & 15 Bean Soup is almost ready!

Tips for the Best Ever Cozy Kielbasa & 15 Bean Soup

Want to make your Cozy Kielbasa & 15 Bean Soup even more special? I have a few tricks up my sleeve. For a little kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes when you add the garlic. It wakes up the flavors beautifully! If you prefer using dried beans instead of canned, that’s totally doable. Just remember to soak about 2 cups of mixed dried beans overnight. Cook them separately until tender before adding them to the soup. This makes your Cozy Kielbasa & 15 Bean Soup super customizable. My family loves it this way too! This soup also freezes wonderfully. Let it cool completely. Then, store it in airtight containers in the freezer. It’s a perfect make-ahead meal for busy weeks.

Serving Your Cozy Kielbasa & 15 Bean Soup

This hearty Cozy Kielbasa & 15 Bean Soup is wonderful on its own. But it’s even better with a few simple additions. I love serving it with a big piece of crusty Italian bread. It’s perfect for soaking up every last drop of that delicious broth. A light side salad also complements the richness nicely. For an extra touch of creamy comfort, try a dollop of sour cream or a swirl of plain Greek yogurt right on top. Presenting this comforting soup in rustic bowls makes it feel extra special. It truly is a meal that warms you from the inside out.

Cozy Kielbasa & 15 Bean Soup - detail 4

Frequently Asked Questions about Cozy Kielbasa & 15 Bean Soup

Do you have questions about making this Cozy Kielbasa & 15 Bean Soup? I’m happy to help! Many people ask if they can make this a vegetarian dish. Yes, you can! Simply omit the kielbasa. You might want to add extra vegetables or a smoked paprika for a smoky flavor. This makes it a wonderful hearty soup for everyone. How long can you store leftovers? This sausage soup keeps well in the refrigerator for about 3-4 days. It’s even better the next day! For longer storage, freeze it. What are the best beans to use in this 15 bean soup recipe? The recipe calls for kidney, cannellini, great northern, black, and pinto beans. But feel free to use any combination of canned beans you like. Using dried beans is also an option, just remember to soak and cook them first. This easy soup recipe is so forgiving!

Estimated Nutritional Information

This Cozy Kielbasa & 15 Bean Soup is quite nourishing. A serving is about 1.5 cups. It typically has around 350 calories. You’ll get about 15g of fat and 20g of protein. It also provides around 35g of carbohydrates. These numbers are estimates, of course. They can change based on your specific ingredients and portion sizes.

Share Your Cozy Kielbasa & 15 Bean Soup Creations!

I truly hope you enjoy making and eating this Cozy Kielbasa & 15 Bean Soup as much as my family does! Did you try it? I’d love to hear all about your experience. Please leave a comment below and let me know how it turned out for you. Sharing your thoughts and tips helps our community grow. You can also find more of my recipes and culinary inspiration over on Pinterest. Come join us there!

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Cozy Kielbasa & 15 Bean Soup

Cozy Kielbasa & 15 Bean Soup: 1 Comforting Italian Recipe


  • Author: Lina Kohn
  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

A hearty and comforting kielbasa and 15-bean soup, perfect for a chilly day. This recipe is full of flavor and incredibly satisfying.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound kielbasa sausage, sliced
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 3 carrots, chopped
  • 3 celery stalks, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 8 cups chicken broth
  • 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 (15 ounce) can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 (15 ounce) can great northern beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 (15 ounce) can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • Salt and pepper to taste


Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
  2. Add kielbasa and cook until browned. Remove kielbasa and set aside.
  3. Add onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
  4. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
  5. Return kielbasa to the pot. Add chicken broth, diced tomatoes, all rinsed beans, bay leaf, thyme, and rosemary.
  6. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for at least 30 minutes, or until vegetables are tender and flavors have melded.
  7. Remove bay leaf. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  8. Serve hot.

Notes

  • For a spicier soup, add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic.
  • You can substitute any combination of 15 dried beans for the canned beans. Soak them overnight according to package directions and cook them separately before adding to the soup.
  • This soup freezes well. Let it cool completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Soup
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1.5 cups
  • Calories: 350
  • Sugar: 6g
  • Sodium: 900mg
  • Fat: 15g
  • Saturated Fat: 6g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 35g
  • Fiber: 10g
  • Protein: 20g
  • Cholesterol: 40mg

Comments are closed.