Description
This Hearty Tuscan White Bean Soup is a hug in a bowl, brimming with comforting flavors and hearty ingredients. It’s a remarkably simple yet deeply satisfying soup that will become a go-to for cozy weeknights and chilly afternoons.
Ingredients
• 2 cans (15 oz each) Cannellini beans, rinsed and drained (reserve half for blending)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
• 2 cups fresh kale or spinach, chopped
• 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Grated Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
1. Blend one can of rinsed cannellini beans with half a cup of broth until smooth.
2. Warm olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery and cook until tender, about 6-8 minutes.
3. Stir in the minced garlic and Italian seasoning, cooking for one minute until aromatic.
4. Add the remaining whole cannellini beans, the blended bean puree, the rest of the broth, diced tomatoes (with their juice), and the bay leaf. Bring the mixture to a boil.
5. Lower the heat, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 20 minutes for the flavors to deepen.
6. Stir in the chopped kale or spinach and cook for another 5 minutes until it wilts. Remove the bay leaf, season with salt and pepper to your liking, and serve with grated Parmesan cheese.
Notes
For Extra Creaminess: If you adore an extra creamy soup, you can reserve a little more of the cooked beans before blending, or even add a splash of heavy cream or coconut milk at the very end of cooking.
A Little Heat: For a touch of warmth, stir in a pinch of red pepper flakes along with the garlic and Italian seasoning.
Other Beans: While cannellini are traditional and wonderful here, you could experiment with other white beans like great northern or navy beans.
Herbs: Fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme, added during the simmering stage, can offer a beautiful fragrant lift.
- Prep Time: Approximately 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Cuisine: Italian