Description
Hearty Italian bean soup delights with rustic Tuscan flavors and simple ingredients. Nourishing comfort awaits when you savor each spoonful of this classic peasant dish.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) dried navy beans (or 15-bean mix)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 large onion, diced
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 2 cups chopped kale or spinach (optional)
- 6 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
- 1 (14.5 oz) (411 g) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp lemon juice (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Bean Preparation: Thoroughly rinse dried beans, soak overnight in abundant water, then drain and rinse completely before cooking.
- Vegetable Sauté: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat, caramelize onions, carrots, and celery until softened, then add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.
- Liquid Integration: Add pre-soaked beans to the vegetable base, pour vegetable broth and tomatoes to fully cover ingredients. Introduce bay leaves, dried thyme, and smoked paprika to create a robust flavor foundation.
- Simmering Process: Bring mixture to a vigorous boil, immediately reduce to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook, occasionally checking bean tenderness, allowing soup to develop complex flavors for 90-120 minutes.
- Final Enhancement: Incorporate leafy greens like kale or spinach during the last cooking stage, allowing them to wilt and meld seamlessly into the soup.
- Seasoning Refinement: Remove bay leaves, adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper. Brighten the flavor profile with a splash of fresh lemon juice just before serving.
- Presentation: Ladle the hearty soup into warm bowls, serving alongside crusty artisan bread for a complete, soul-warming meal.
Notes
- Soak Beans Thoroughly: Overnight soaking softens beans, reduces cooking time, and helps eliminate digestive discomfort by breaking down complex sugars.
- Layer Vegetables Carefully: Slow-sauté vegetables creates a flavor foundation, developing natural sweetness and depth through gentle caramelization.
- Monitor Liquid Levels: Consistently check soup’s liquid content during simmering to prevent burning and ensure beans cook evenly without becoming dry.
- Customize Dietary Needs: Swap vegetable broth with low-sodium options, add protein like diced chicken, or include gluten-free bread for diverse dietary preferences.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 9 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg