Ingredients:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 lbs sweet Italian sausage links or 1 1/2 lbs hot Italian sausage, in the casing
2 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto ham, minced
2 medium onions, in medium dice
2 medium carrots, peeled and in medium dice
2 medium celery ribs, in medium dice
1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
3 (15 7/8 ounce) cans great northern beans or 3 (15 7/8 ounce) cans other white beans, undrained
1 quart chicken broth ( carton or can)
Directions:
Heat oil in a large, deep saute pan or soup kettle over medium-high heat.
When pan is hot, add sausages, cook, turning once or twice, until well-browned on all sides, about 5 minutes.
(Sausage will not be fully cooked at this point.) Remove from the pan.
When cool enough to handle, cut into slices 1/4-inch thick.
Add prosciutto, onions, carrots, celery and thyme to the empty skillet, cook, stirring often, until well browned, 8 to 10 minutes.
In a small bowl one can of beans with a fork into a chunky puree.
Add broth, whole and mashed beans, and sausage; cover and bring to a simmer.
Reduce heat to medium-low, simmer, partially covered to blend flavors, 20 minutes.
Let rest 10 minutes; serve.
Servings: 8
Time preparation: 15 min.
Time total: 60 min.