Description
A rustic and hearty Tuscan White Bean Soup featuring cannellini beans, fresh vegetables, and aromatic herbs simmered in a savory broth. This simple Italian comfort food is both nutritious and flavorful, perfect for a cozy meal.
Ingredients
Base
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Main Ingredients
- 2 cans (15 oz each) cannellini beans, drained
- 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
Greens & Garnish
- 1 cup chopped kale or spinach
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Grated Parmesan (optional)
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion, chopped carrots, and celery; sauté for about 5 minutes until the vegetables soften. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Add Beans and Broth: Stir in the drained cannellini beans, pour in the vegetable or chicken broth, and sprinkle the Italian seasoning. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Simmer Soup: Allow the soup to simmer gently for 15 minutes to let the flavors meld and the vegetables become tender.
- Thicken Soup: Remove about 1 cup of beans from the pot and mash them with a fork or potato masher. Return the mashed beans to the pot to thicken the soup’s texture.
- Add Greens and Finish: Stir in the chopped kale or spinach, season with salt and pepper to taste, and simmer for an additional 5 minutes until the greens wilt.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve hot and enjoy your comforting Tuscan White Bean Soup.
Notes
- For a heartier soup, add diced pancetta or Italian sausage during the initial sautéing step.
- Use vegetable broth to keep this recipe vegetarian; chicken broth will make it non-vegetarian.
- You can substitute kale with spinach or Swiss chard for different leafy greens.
- Adjust seasoning by adding red pepper flakes for a mild spicy kick.
- Leftovers taste great the next day and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
