Before one sneers at the thought of a soup loaded with beans & greens, let me assure them that not only is this one of the tastiest soups they’ll ever know, it’s also one of the most comforting and satisfying. The sausage & Parmesan are optional, but I’m all for them to add some additional deep, rich flavor to this Italian classic known as Bean & Escarole Soup. Oh – and it’s done with 9 simple ingredients (or less).
If you loved my Sausage & Spinach Soup, this is basically its lighter (yet equally scrumptious) cousin.
Instant Pot Bean & Escarole Soup
Before one sneers at the thought of a soup loaded with beans & greens, let me assure them that not only is this one of the tastiest soups they'll ever know, it's also one of the most comforting and satisfying. The sausage & Parmesan are optional, but I'm all for them to add some additional deep, rich flavor to this Italian classic known as Bean & Escarole Soup. Oh - and it's done with 9 simple ingredients (or less).
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
- 1 pound Italian sausage (sweet or hot or a mix of the two), casings removed (optional)
- 1-2 bunches escarole, roughly chopped with tougher white bottom discarded (see Step 1)
- 6 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
- 6 cups of chicken or garlic broth (e.g. Garlic Better Than Bouillon)
- 2 teaspoons black pepper, plus more for topping (freshly ground is best here)
- 2 (15.5-ounce) cans cannellini, navy or great northern beans, drained and rinsed (see Jeff's Tips)
- ¼-½ cup grated Parmesan (optional)
- Seasoned salt, to taste (optional, see Jeff’s Tips)
Instructions
- Add the oil to the Instant Pot and hit Sauté and Adjust so it’s on the More or High Setting. After 2-3 minutes of heating, add the sausage (if using) and sauté for 3 minutes, until crumbled and lightly browned. Then, add the escarole and garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until the escarole is wilted. (NOTE: If using 2 bunches of escarole, add them in two batches. Otherwise, it can get crowded in the pot. Once the first batch wilts, add the second and sauté another 1-2 minutes until wilted).
- Add the broth and pepper and stir well. Top with the beans but do not stir. Just smooth them out with a mixing spoon. Secure the lid, move the valve to the sealing position, hit Cancel and then hit Pressure Cook or Manual at High Pressure for 3 minutes. Quick release when done.
- Stir in the Parmesan (if using, start with ¼ cup and add up to ½ cup if desired). Taste the soup. If at this point you feel it needs seasoned salt, start by adding 1 teaspoon, stir, taste and increase from there up to 1 tablespoon. Ladle into bowls and serve topped with freshly ground pepper, if desired. Goes great with a side of garlic bread.
Jeffrey's Tips
AVOID OVERSALTING: The seasoned salt is subjective on whether or not you added the sausage and/or Parmesan to the soup. Both emit salt so they’ll likely satisfy the soup’s savory capacity. If you added one or both, make sure you really taste the broth in Step 3. You can always add more salt to recipes but not really retract it once it’s in there (unless you add water, which can throw off the ratio of the goodies in the soup). To that point, if you didn’t add the sausage nor Parmesan, you’ll likely want to add 1-3 teaspoons of seasoned salt in Step 3. Regardless, all taste buds are different so do it to your (and your loved ones) personal preference.
If you feel like using a darker bean, by all means, mix it up and add whatever kind you wish. Just make sure they’re drained and rinsed from the can before adding in Step 2.
Guy Colerick
Hey Jeff….thanks for the tip on the salt in your bean and escarole recipe. I use the Knorr granulated bullion and it had more than enough salt. I also used spicy sausage….gave it a nice kick. I’ve sent a lot of subscribers your way. You and Sam The Cooking Guy are my go to guys…..love your recipes. My favorite from you is your Zuppa Toscano and your Guacamole recipe. Everyone tells me to bring my quac when we have get togethers. The roasted garlic is the bomb!
Sue
Can I use fully cooked hot chicken sausage? Would I still follow the same directions? Thanks
Stan K-
I use whole sausage links. saute them until you have brown on at least 3 sides. Take them out of the pot. Saute the escarole and add garlic. Add the 6 cups of broth. Put the sausage back into the pot and stir the soup, add the beans and make sure not to stir the beans into the soup. cancel saute, then press pressure cook for 3 or 4 minutes. The recipe calls for 3, but since I want to make sure the sausage is cooked through I use 4 minutes. Then quick release. I serve the sausage links separately with the soup. I hope this helps.
Steven Manni
I love your recipes….it would be great if you could provide calorie counts
Nancy Fisher
Yes please!
Randy Zinkus
Hi! Love your videos. Question – can you use a Parmesan rind when making this recipe? I saw another stovetop escarole soup recipe that uses one. Thoughts?
Pete Osborn
Over here in western NY, greens and beans are a common entree or appetizer in our numerous family owned Italian restaurants. Not as a soup however.
I got a recipe for it several years ago and made it, experimented with it and since I love most soups, modified it to almost your recipe but I always use cut up and sautéed sausage without removing the casing.
After cooking the sausage I mop out any excess grease with a paper towel then add everything to the same pot and cook for a couple of hours.
I’m retired so I have time to do this.
MaryAnn
I just made this even though I couldn’t find escarole, so I used what I had, 2 bags of fresh spinach, italian sausage links, a can of cannelini beans (how can stores be out of these?!) and a can of great northern beans, 8 cups of chicken broth, and shredded Asiago. OMG it was so good! And so fast! Longest time was freeing the sausage from the casing and cleaning the Instant Pot liner, lol. This will be made, hopefully with the right ingredients, again and again (and even without all the right ingredients). Thanks for a great Italian Greens and Beans recipe, Jeffrey.
Jeffrey
Woohoo! Just terrific!
Sheri
I made this and it turned out great. I also added some spare ribs.
Everyone loved it. I will be making it again.