The real beauty of this basic bean soup is that you can use anything from fresh Italian sausage to leftover pot roast, chicken, or any other kind of meat. I will give you a list of suggestions.
Ok, so you can't find 15 beans in one package? Buy several kinds you like and mix them together, no problem.
Fifteen bean soup has all kinds of lentils, lima beans, some kidney beans that are red or white, and those are just to name a few.
I have made this soup so many different ways, and my family always comes back to loving that Italian spicy hot flavored sausage.
It's so rich and full of every nutrient and vitamin, and easy to make on the stovetop, pressure cooker or slow cooker.
We just love homemade soups, and a favorite Italian Minestrone Soup.
Another great way to use 15 beans is in a barbecue sauce called Cowboy Style Beans with Barbecue Sauce. These are so delicious!
Scroll down to the bottom to print out this fabulous, easy recipe!
Why You Will Love 15 Bean Soup
- Hearty and satisfying – The addition of sausage turns this soup into a complete, filling meal
- Rich, slow-simmered flavor – A blend of beans creates layers of texture and taste
- Perfect for leftovers – Tastes even better the next day as the flavors deepen
- Budget-friendly comfort food – Inexpensive ingredients that feed a crowd
- Customizable – Easy to adapt with different meats, veggies, or spices
- Great for all seasons – Cozy in winter, but light enough to enjoy year-round
Cooking Methods and Tips
- Stovetop: (in a 6 to 8-quart saucepan, around 2 1/2 hours)
- Pressure Cooker: (soak beans first or pressure cook for 1 hour) 35 minutes for the soup after beans are softened
- Slow Cooker: Place on low 6 to 8 hours or high 4 to 6 hours
- Soak the beans overnight for more even cooking and better texture
- Rinse beans well before cooking to remove excess starch
- Brown the sausage first to build flavor before adding it to the soup
- Simmer low and slow for the best depth of flavor
- Season at the end since beans absorb salt as they cook
- Add liquid as needed; beans can thicken the soup as it simmers
Mix-ins Italian Sausage and 15 Bean Soup
- Diced onions, carrots, and celery for a classic soup base
- Garlic or roasted garlic for extra depth
- Crushed tomatoes or diced tomatoes for a slightly tangy broth
- Bay leaves, thyme, or Italian seasoning
- Smoked paprika or red pepper flakes for warmth
- Smoked ham or ham hocks for traditional, rich flavor
- Bacon or pancetta for a smoky base
- Chicken sausage or turkey sausage for a lighter option
- Ground sausage browned and crumbled
- Vegetarian version – Skip the sausage and add smoked paprika or liquid smoke for depth
- A splash of vinegar or lemon juice at the end to brighten flavors
If You Love Soups, Try My Favorite Recipes Below
Best Soup Recipes
Best 20 Bean Recipes
Vegetable Stock
Chicken Broth
Pin for later Italian Sausage and 15 Bean Soup
Easy To Make Healthy To Eat
If you love beans and soup, this is a big win for a comforting bowl of soup.
All 15 beans in one bowl, a rich broth, simple and inexpensive to make, equals a health,y wonderful meal for your family.
With the addition of some vegetable suggestions, this soup is a hearty, healthy bowl of deliciousness!
Italian Sausage and 15 Bean Soup
Yield: 12
Prep time: 15 MCook time: 2 H & 30 MTotal time: 2 H & 45 M
This is a 15-bean Italian-style soup, it can be flavored with any meat you have. I love this with chicken or leftover pork roast, steak or any roast with a bone you may have. This feeds a large family inexpensively and perfect way to get a second meal out of any meat you serve. Any kinds of sausage makes this soup fantastic or even bacon!
Ingredients:
- 1 bag 15 kinds of dried beans (soaked overnight, or boiled on low for 1 hour get all the dirt particles off and to soften.)
- Note: I do not use the seasoning packet that comes with the beans.
- 1 pound mild or hot Italian sausage, sliced, or use a pork shank bone, ham bone with meat, any kind of meat, chicken, steak, kielbasa, and you can also use bacon, crumbled cooked bacon or pancetta.
- 2 quarts vegetable broth or chicken broth canned or homemade
- water
- 1 celery stalk chopped
- 1 cup carrots
- 1 onion chopped fine
- 2 leaves of fresh basil
- 1 teaspoon each Italian seasoning, garlic powder, parsley, or more to taste
- salt, pepper to taste
- olive oil
- 4 cloves minced garlic
- cayenne pepper optional
- optional 1 can diced tomatoes, spinach, cubed zucchini
Instructions:
How to cook Italian Sausage and 15 Bean Soup
- In a large 8-quart soup pan, saute 3 tablespoon olive oil with garlic for one minute.
- Add sausage or whatever meat your using and proceed to saute.
- Add the vegetable or chicken broth, herbs spices, and any vegetables you like into the pot.
- Add the beans and cover with water around 2 inches below the top of the pan and simmer until beans are completely softened and soup is fragrant around 2 1/2 to 3 hours.
- Add more water if it starts to evaporate.
- You can also make this in the slow-cooker on high 4 to 6 hours.
- Pressure Cooker: cook the beans first for 1 hour on high pressure.. Then add all the ingredients and pressure cook 35 more minutes follow the instructions in your manual.
Calories
279
279
Fat (grams)
12
12
Sat. Fat (grams)
6
6
Carbs (grams)
23
23
Fiber (grams)
32
32
Net carbs
11
11
Sugar (grams)
4
4
Pin for later Italian Sausage and 15 Bean Soup
Disclosure: This recipe was originally shared in 2013. It was edited and re-published in 2020.
