Hearty Tuscan White Bean Soup Recipe: Cozy Italian Comfort

Hearty and comforting, this tuscan white bean soup emerges as a delightful culinary treasure from the rustic kitchens of Italy.

Creamy cannellini beans mingle with aromatic herbs and robust vegetables, creating a soul-warming dish.

Robust flavors dance through each spoonful, promising a deeply satisfying meal.

Tender vegetables and perfectly seasoned broth tell a story of traditional Tuscan cooking.

Rich and nourishing, the soup brings warmth to chilly evenings with its authentic Mediterranean essence.

Each ingredient plays a harmonious role in crafting this classic Italian comfort food.

Dive into this simple yet elegant recipe that transforms humble ingredients into a memorable dining experience.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 210 kcal

Servings: 5

What You’ll Need For Tuscan White Bean Soup

• Onion: Builds a deep, savory foundation with sweet undertones and aromatic complexity.
• Carrots: Adds natural sweetness and vibrant color to enhance the soup's overall flavor profile.
• Celery: Provides a subtle herbal note and crisp background texture to the soup base.
• Garlic: Delivers intense, pungent flavor that elevates the entire dish's aromatic quality.

• Tomato Paste: Concentrates rich, umami depth and creates a robust red undertone.
• Dried Thyme: Introduces earthy, slightly minty herbal notes characteristic of Tuscan cuisine.
• Dried Rosemary: Contributes woody, pine-like aromatics typical of Mediterranean cooking.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Offers subtle heat and bright, spicy complexity to the soup.

• Cannellini Beans: Creamy white beans that provide hearty protein and smooth, velvety texture.
• Vegetable Broth: Creates a light, flavorful liquid base that supports all other ingredients.
• Diced Tomatoes: Adds bright acidity and fresh, juicy texture to the soup.
• Kale or Spinach: Introduces nutrient-dense greens with earthy flavor and vibrant color.
• Lemon Juice: Brightens and balances the soup with a fresh, zesty note.

• Parsley: Sprinkles fresh, green herbal notes as a final touch.
• Parmesan Cheese: Offers salty, nutty richness to complement the soup's flavors.

Cooking Tools For Tuscan White Bean Soup

• Large Pot: Essential for sautéing vegetables and simmering the soup, ensuring even heat distribution.
• Chef's Knife: Perfect for dicing onions, carrots, celery, and chopping kale or parsley with precision.
• Cutting Board: Provides a stable surface for chopping ingredients safely and cleanly.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients without scratching the pot.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately add herbs and seasonings for balanced flavor.
• Ladle: Ideal for serving the soup evenly into bowls without spills.
• Colander: Useful for draining and rinsing the cannellini beans.

How To Make Tuscan White Bean Soup

• Veggie Foundation

Start by creating a flavor base with onions, carrots, and celery sautéed in olive oil. Let them dance and soften in the pan, releasing their natural sweetness. Toss in garlic for an extra aromatic punch that’ll make your kitchen smell incredible.

• Herbal Awakening

Introduce a blend of herbs that transport you to the rolling hills of Tuscany. Sprinkle in thyme and rosemary, letting their earthy essence mingle with a touch of red pepper for a subtle kick.

• Liquid Magic

Pour in vegetable broth, transforming the pot into a bubbling cauldron of comfort. Fold in creamy white beans and juicy tomatoes, allowing everything to simmer and get acquainted. Let the flavors develop and intertwine, creating a rich, complex profile.

• Green Finale

Embrace a burst of freshness with vibrant kale or spinach. Stir the greens into the soup, watching them wilt and integrate seamlessly. Season with a whisper of salt, a crack of pepper, and a bright splash of lemon juice to elevate the entire dish.

• Serving Celebration

Ladle the soup into warm bowls, crowning it with a sprinkle of fresh parsley. Invite a generous shower of Parmesan cheese and present alongside a chunk of crusty bread for the ultimate comfort meal that hugs you from the inside out.

Smart Tips For Tuscan White Bean Soup

• Perfect Soup Texture Trick: Mash a portion of the cannellini beans against the pot's side to create a creamier, thicker soup base without adding extra calories.
• Make-Ahead Magic: This soup tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop and intensify. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Protein Power Boost: Transform the soup into a complete meal by adding cooked chicken, crispy pancetta, or Italian sausage for extra protein and depth of flavor.
• Gluten-Free Friendly: Ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free, and serve with gluten-free bread or skip the bread entirely. The soup is naturally gluten-free when using appropriate broth.
• Vegan Version Swap: Replace Parmesan cheese with nutritional yeast or dairy-free Parmesan alternative. Use vegetable broth (which you're already doing) and skip the cheese garnish for a fully plant-based meal.

Serving Suggestions For Tuscan White Bean Soup

• Rustic Bread Dipping Delight: Slice a crispy baguette or sourdough and toast lightly, then use it to scoop up the hearty soup, soaking up all the delicious flavors.
• Cheese Lover's Dream: Sprinkle extra Parmesan or crumble some tangy goat cheese on top for a creamy, rich finish that complements the bean's earthy taste.
• Mediterranean Mezze Plate: Pair the soup with olives, roasted red peppers, and a small side of hummus to create a vibrant, colorful meal that transports you to the Italian countryside.
• Protein Power-Up: Add grilled chicken strips or crispy pancetta on top for meat lovers wanting an extra protein boost and textural contrast to the soft beans and greens.

Storage Plan For Tuscan White Bean Soup

• Fridge Storage Magic: Transfer leftover soup to airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking. Refrigerated soup stays fresh and delicious for 3-4 days, maintaining its rich flavors and nutritious ingredients.
• Freezer Friendly Technique: Carefully pour cooled soup into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty bags, leaving slight expansion space. Frozen soup keeps perfectly for 2-3 months, ensuring quick future meals without losing taste quality.
• Smart Reheating Strategy: Thaw refrigerated or frozen soup slowly in the refrigerator overnight. Warm gently in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. Add a splash of vegetable broth if soup seems too thick during reheating.
• Portion Control Hack: Divide soup into individual serving containers before storing. This method allows easy grab-and-go lunches, reduces waste, and ensures consistent portion sizes for quick weekday meals.

Hearty Tuscan White Bean Soup Recipe

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4.8 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Hearty Tuscan white bean soup brings rustic Italian comfort to your table. Creamy beans, kale, and aromatic herbs combine in a nourishing bowl that warms souls and satisfies hunger.

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Ingredients

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• 2 cans (15 oz or 425 g) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 4 cups (960 ml) vegetable or chicken broth
• 1 can (14.5 oz or 411 g) diced tomatoes, with juice
• 2 cups (60 g) fresh kale or spinach, chopped
• 1 large onion, diced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsps olive oil
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried rosemary
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 tbsp lemon juice (optional)
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
• Grated Parmesan cheese (for serving)

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Instructions

1. Sauté Base: In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium flame and sauté onions, carrots, and celery until soft and translucent, releasing their aromatic essence.
2. Enhance Flavor Profile: Add minced garlic, dried thyme, and rosemary, stirring quickly to prevent burning and allowing herbs to bloom and intensify.
3. Build Liquid Foundation: Pour vegetable broth into the pot, then introduce tomato paste, cannellini beans, and diced tomatoes, creating a robust soup base.
4. Simmer and Develop Complexity: Bring mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and let ingredients merge and deepen their flavors, allowing soup to simmer until beans are tender and liquid slightly thickens.
5. Incorporate Greens: Fold fresh kale or spinach into the simmering soup, letting leaves wilt and integrate seamlessly with the liquid.
6. Final Seasoning: Adjust taste with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and a bright splash of lemon juice to elevate the overall flavor profile.
7. Serve and Garnish: Ladle soup into warm bowls, sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley, and accompany with grated Parmesan cheese and crusty bread for a hearty, comforting meal.

Notes

• Soften Aromatics Gently: Sauté onions, carrots, and celery at medium heat to develop a sweet, rich base without burning, which prevents bitter flavors.
• Layer Herbs Strategically: Add dried herbs with tomato paste early to caramelize and release deeper, more concentrated flavor profiles throughout the soup.
• Control Bean Texture: Drain cannellini beans thoroughly to prevent excess liquid and maintain a creamy yet distinct bean texture in the final dish.
• Balance Acidity Carefully: Use fresh lemon juice sparingly to brighten the soup, adding just before serving to preserve its vibrant, zesty notes without overwhelming other ingredients.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 650 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Fiber: 8 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg