I kind of made it up as I went along, so measurements are approximate, and I'm not sure what's truly "Tuscan" about it, but it tasted good and was pretty quick and easy, so I thought I'd share it here...

Tuscan bean and sausage soup
Serves 4 to 5

2 tablespoons olive oil
5 links sweet Italian sausage, casings removed
1 large sweet onion, diced
1 large clove garlic, minced
1 15.5 ounce can cannellini beans, rinsed well and drained
2 tsp. dried basil
2 tsp. dried oregano
2 bay leaves
1 tsp dried rosemary
1/2 tsp. dried red chili pepper flakes
5 cups chicken broth (homemade, or low-sodium variety)
salt and pepper to taste
1 bunch baby spinach or swiss chard, washed and torn into pieces (optional)
grated Paremesan cheese (optional)

In a large, heavy-bottomed pot set over medium-high heat, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil until it starts to shimmer, then add the sausage meat and crumble it up and stir it around just until it is no longer pink.

Remove as much of the sausage as possible and set it aside.

Add the remaining oil to the pot and heat until the bits of sausage that are still in there start to sizzle a little. Add the onion, and cook until transluscent, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic, stir well, and cook about 2 minutes smore.

Return the sausage to the pot, add the beans and the spices and stir to combine, being careful not to smush the beans.

Add the chicken broth, stir to combine, and simmer for about 15 minutes. Taste and add salt and/or pepper, if needed.

While the soup is simmering, place some of the spinach or swiss chard in each soup bowl -- a good big handful (it'll cook down into nothing). Ladle the hot soup over the greens and wait about 3 minutes for the greens to wilt. Then eat. Grate a little Parmesan cheese over the top, if you like, then eat some more.

Sooo making this. Question -- any easy way to remove sausage casings?

Sounds great. Chunk of sourdough, glass of red wine. Mmm. Heaven.

Yep.. . If both ends of the sausage link are twisted shut, just snip the casing with shears or the slice it with the tip of a knife, then squeeze the sausage out through the hole. Or slit it down the side and scoop out of the casing. Sounds gross, but is super easy.

or, the easiest way of all... yuo can buy sausage meat without casings (usually right next to the italian sausage in the meat aisle)!

This soup sounds great, and a good idea for getting spinach into my kids' diet. will try it soon. Thanks for sharing!

Ooo. I love spinach! I'll have to try it. Though with a vegetarian in the family, I'll have to make a partial batch with extra beans and without the sausage meat. Do you think I'd have to alter the spices any for the meat-free version?

YUM . . . I'm w/ Diane, except I am a crusty french bread girl.
I have really learned to LOVE soup. Before kid, hubby & I used to have a friday night date at a local pub - The Mrs made homemade soups - very basic stuff - but they were always soooo good, she really inspried me to just throw stuff in a pot - and the results, generally, are fantastic.

I often use boxed or canned items to start then open the pantry & the fridge! Chicken and beef broth are now staples in my pantry as the base and spinach - great way to get your greens! Also a great use for leftovers. I just recently found a local food supplier that has great frozen bread, small loaves - freezer to oven - just 20 minutes to fresh crusty bread - mmmmm I bought a case and have it in our big freezer.
my downfall - I like lots of butter on the bread

Mmmm, I love soup! Sounds good I must try it.