I love soups. I know that not everyone does, but they are like comfort food for me. This spinach and sausage white bean soup is a nice cold weather meal. 
Of course having soups made ahead and in the freezer means that this can be an “any weather” soup. I don’t put the spinach in until the day of cooking because I find it has the wrong texture if it is frozen with the rest of the ingredients first.
Spinach and Sausage White Bean Soup:
- 14 oz. smoked sausage
- 8 cups vegetable broth
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- ½ medium onion, diced
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil
- 19 oz. can cannellini beans, undrained
- ¼ tsp. salt
- ½ tsp. pepper
- 1 tsp. oregano
- 1 tsp. thyme
For cooking day:
- 2 cups rotini pasta
- 2 cups spinach, roughly chopped
In a skillet, heat 2 Tbsp. olive oil over medium heat. Chop the smoked sausage into ½-1 inch thick slices. Cook the sausage over medium heat, 6-7 minutes, stirring frequently, until they are cooked through and beginning to crisp on all sides.
When they have cooled slightly, place the cooked sausage pieces in a large resealable freezer bag. Add chopped onions and minced garlic. Pour in vegetable broth, and add cannellini beans and their liquid. Add in the seasonings. Remove excess air from the bag, seal and freeze.
On the day you want to eat this, take the bag out of the freezer to thaw. Place the bag contents in a large pot. Bring it to a boil on the stovetop.
Add in pasta. Boil for another 5-7 minutes, until pasta is al dente. Add the spinach and cook for 1-2 minutes more. Serve hot.
If you want, you can sprinkle with some shredded Parmesan cheese and a bit of freshly ground pepper.
Check out some of our other favourite make ahead soups:
Hearty Sausage and Zucchini Soup 
- 14 oz. smoked sausage
- 8 cups vegetable broth
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- ½ medium onion diced
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil
- 19 oz. can cannellini beans undrained
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp thyme
- 2 cups rotini pasta
- 2 cups spinach roughly chopped
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In a skillet, heat 2 Tbsp. olive oil over medium heat. Chop the smoked sausage into ½-1 inch thick slices. Cook the sausage over medium heat, 6-7 minutes, stirring frequently, until they are cooked through and beginning to crisp on all sides.
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When they have cooled slightly, place the cooked sausage pieces in a large resealable freezer bag.
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Add chopped onions and minced garlic. Pour in vegetable broth, and add cannellini beans and their liquid. Add in the seasonings. Remove excess air from the bag, seal and freeze.
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On the day you want to eat this, take the bag out of the freezer to thaw. Place the bag contents in a large pot. Bring it to a boil on the stovetop.
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Add in pasta. Boil for another 5-7 minutes, until pasta is al dente. Add the spinach and cook for 1-2 minutes more. Serve hot.
If you want, you can sprinkle with some shredded Parmesan cheese and a bit of freshly ground pepper.
These are so fast to make that you can make several of them in minutes. Once they are in the freezer, they are perfect to pull out for a Sunday dinner.
On the day you want to serve this, take it out of the freezer to thaw. Cook in the slow cooker on low for 6-8 hours. Slice and serve on buns, using the juices from the roast for dipping.
This freezer garlic bread is a fraction of the cost of store-bought garlic bread. Making some loaves ahead means saving on time and on money.
If you want, you can sprinkle shredded Parmesan cheese in between the slices on top of the butter mixture.
Here are some freezer meals that pair perfectly with a side of garlic bread:
The reason I’ve been able to eat most of the meals myself is that I substitute a soy ground round (Yves brand) for the ground beef. I prefer to cook it up first even though it’s already cooked. I find the texture better that way.
I wasn’t sure if it would be as good once frozen and heated, but it’s amazing! It’s one of those recipes where the kids squeal when they find out we’re having it.
Add the chicken broth, juice, evaporated milk, chutney, and red chili flakes. Squish together to combine. Remove the excess air from the bag, seal, and freeze.
