White Bean and Sausage Soup

It's fall and soups are easy to make for dinner. This recipe is a very easy and simple bean soup. Serve it with  Honey Cornbread Muffins or Whole Wheat Bread for a complete meal.  There's something about homemade soups and breads that make one feel content this time of year.  

White Bean and Sausage Soup

(Printable Recipe)

1 pound ground sausage (country or Italian)

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 large white onion, chopped

2 carrots, peeled and diced

1 celery stalk, chopped

1 teaspoon thyme

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 cups chicken stock

5 cups water

2 cups dried white or Northern beans

fresh ground pepper to taste

In large saucepan, cook sausage.  Drain sausage and set aside in refrigerator.  Heat olive oil in large saucepan over medium heat.  Add onions, carrots and celery and cook 3 minutes.  Add remaining ingredients and bring to a boil.  Reduce to low and simmer for 2 hours.  Add sausage and cook an additional 30 - 45 minutes.  You may need to add another cup of water. Smash some of the beans with a fork against the inside of the pan to make the broth creamier.  Season with fresh ground pepper.