This hearty Italian Peasant soup, loaded with filling chicken, sausage, beans, vegetables and even some potatoes for good measure, is our family's favorite fall and winter soup recipe. Served with crusty bread, this broth based soup is the perfect cold weather meal.
Italian Peasant Soup- Family Favorite
I have talked about this soup many times before, and I am so happy to share the recipe with you today. We make it with the best homemade French bread and sometimes slow cooker baked cinnamon apples for dessert.
This is one of our very favorite go-to recipes during the cold fall and winter months. My kids and husband ask for it so frequently that I could probably make it in my sleep!
The wonderful thing about this soup is it hits most of the food groups and is very hearty with chicken, sausage, beans, potatoes, and actually has a lot of veggies too. I use diced tomatoes, onion and a few handfuls of spinach in this recipe and the kids gobble it right up. You could always get creative and add other veggies, too.
Tips for Making Italian Peasant Soup
When I was a kid, I remember my favorite soups my mom would make on cold days and I hope my littles have those memories too. There is nothing quite like a warm, tummy-filling meal after coming home from school on a brisk day.
This soup has so much flavor, so you won't want to skimp on any of the herbs or garlic. You can omit the potatoes if you choose, but my family loves them in there.
I don't love overly mushy spinach, so I usually add that in right before I serve this soup. I add it a couple handfuls at a time, stirring before adding additional handfuls. I only cook the spinach until wilted- it will soften more by the time it is actually served. The soup will be simmering when you add the spinach so it doesn't take long to reach the right consistency (see pictures below)
We always generously shave fresh parmesan over each bowl. It adds a delicious flavor and creaminess to the soup and it is completely worth the extra little step. I'm telling you, this soup is SO GOOD.
Pantry and Freezer Staples
The other nice thing about this recipe is that it is made with mostly pantry and freezer staples. With the exception of the fresh parmesan, most of these items are things I already keep in my freezer and/or pantry. I actually usually do have the parmesan in my fridge as well. This is a great soup to keep the items on hand for those brisk autumn days!
Italian Peasant Soup
Italian Peasant Soup has filling ingredients like chicken, sausage, beans, vegetables, and potatoes in a broth base and is the perfect fall and winter soup.
Ingredients
- 16 oz. ground sausage pork or turkey sausage
- 1 sweet yellow onion large
- 6 cloves garlic minced
- 1 chicken breast, boneless and skinless cut into 1 inch cubes
- 2 potatoes small, peeled and chopped in small cubes- roughly 1 1/2-2 cups
- 32 oz. chicken broth 1 container
- 2 cans cannellini beans 15 oz. each, drained. can substitute with other unseasoned white beans
- 28 oz. diced tomatoes canned, including juice
- 1 tsp. dried basil
- 1 tsp. dried oregano
- 6 cups fresh spinach
- Freshly shaved parmesan cheese optional, but highly recommended
Instructions
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In a heavy pot, begin to brown sausage over medium to medium-high heat, breaking it up into small pieces. After a minute or so, throw in cubed chicken, garlic, and onions and cook for approximately 2 more minutes. Add potatoes, and continue to cook until meat is cooked through.
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Pour in chicken broth. Then add strained beans and diced tomatoes. Be sure to add the juice from the diced tomatoes can as well. Add herbs and heat until boiling, stirring occasionally.
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Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
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Add spinach, stirring in between each couple of handfuls and cook only until wilted.
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Serve topped with freshly grated parmesan cheese.
I hope you get a chance to make this for your family. A little something from our home to yours.
Jamie
This soup is divine. I love that it is naturally GF as I shared it with several of my GF friends. Two different meat, the potatoes and beans....so hearty and warmly filling. I have made it twice and we have enjoyed it immensely both times. I even used frozen spinach this last time (I forgot fresh spinach on my shopping list....grrrrr) and it came out fine. It took a bit to defrost and get all of the water out but it was worth it because we were really craving the soup. Perfect compliment for the 12+ inches of snow that were falling as I cooked. So glad I found this recipe! ( And PS - your photos are impeccable).
cameran
Thank you for sharing THIS yummy recipe. This soup has become our go- to first pick when we need comfort food and "a hug". I added this to our Christmas Eve smorgasbord and it was a big hit. We modified the amount of chicken, and add the fresh spinach to each bowl before ladling the hot soup over it and stir in before serving. My husband and I like it less wilted and more bite and it seems to keep longer doing it this way also.
Kim
Delicious!! A new family favorite.
Thank you for sharing.
Veronica A Roessner
I made your Peasant Soup recipe, here. It was fairly easy and delicious. I had to use kielbasa at the time, because I didn't have either of the ground meat's readily available. No other subs. It was sooo amazingly tasty when served, and even better next day. Next time I'll be sure to have the ground meat and chicken and will follow your recipe to the tee. Will also try making the french bread recipe. Thank you for a wonderful recipe that will become a part of my regular seasonal's. Truly appreciate your creative idea's and cooking wizardry.
Noelle
Confessed soup lover--I made this soup and it's quite fantastic. Thinking the mix of two meats makes it a full meal. Shared with neighbors because there was so much. It was a real keeper recipe. Thank you! Happy Fall 🍁
Sheryl Hobbs
I am so excited to have discovered your blog, and I so admire your eye for artistic "hygge"! I am going to try this soup recipe today in preparation for the 4-8" of snow that is expected tomorrow in Colorado!!
I have been searching for wingback chairs with low arms for my dining room. Would you be willing to share the brand or place that you found yours?!
Sara
It's getting chilly here in Colorado and I'm definitely going to make this. Looks so good. I'll report back!
Natalie
This soup is delicious! Will be part of the regular rotation for sure. Thank you so much for sharing!
Samantha
This soup really is sooo good. I make it for my family evey few months and it's always a hit.
Debbie hughes
What brand chicken broth do you use? Thank you
Kristen Whitby
Whatever they have available at the grocery store is what I grab.
Tammy
Do you just use plain sausage or is it Italian sausage? Going to try it, we love soup.
Kristen Whitby
I have used both and they are both good. I prefer plain though.
Cindy
This sounds amazing Kristin! We are big soup lovers! Pinned and now just waiting for a good cold front here in TX!!! xx
Dawn
This looks wonderful! How does it work as a leftover, does the spinach need to be added just as you serve it? I can’t wait to try it!
Kristen Whitby
It is great reheated! They spinach is a bit softer, but we think it is still very delicious!