Italian Sausage, Escarole & Bean Soup with Onion-Topped Focaccia Muffins (includes complimentary surprise dessert)

This comforting meal draws inspiration from the rustic kitchens of Southern Italy, where humble ingredients are transformed into deeply nourishing dishes through time, care, and tradition.

At the heart is a soul-warming bowl of Italian Sausage, Escarole & Bean Soup. It begins with slow-simmered beans—earthy and tender, packed with fiber, iron, and B vitamins—offering a grounding foundation found in many Italian peasant soups, or zuppa contadina. These legumes are paired with crumbled Italian sausage, seasoned with fennel seed, garlic, and chili for rich, savory depth and protein.

Escarole, a beloved leafy green in Italian home cooking, brings both gentle bitterness and nutrient density—particularly vitamin K and folate—balancing the richness of the broth. Aromatic garlic and onion meld with olive oil and crushed red pepper to create a warming base that echoes the simplicity and depth of cucina povera, Italy’s tradition of doing more with less.

Each bowl is finished with chopped flat-leaf parsley and cracked pepper for brightness and a touch of fresh herbal lift.

On the side, individual focaccia muffins offer an inventive twist on the classic Italian flatbread. The dough is enriched with deeply caramelized onions, kneaded in for natural sweetness and umami depth. Topped with rosemary, flaky sea salt, and a drizzle of olive oil, the muffins are crisp on the edges and pillowy within—ideal for dunking into the savory broth.

This meal is a celebration of Italian generosity, where even the simplest ingredients are treated with respect and elevated through tradition. Rooted in warmth, flavor, and whole ingredients, it’s a nourishing experience meant to be shared.