Tuscan white bean soup (Printable)

A warm, flavorful blend of white beans, kale, and Parmesan creating a nourishing Italian-style soup.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
03 - 2 medium carrots, diced
04 - 2 celery stalks, diced
05 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
06 - 1 bunch kale, stems removed and leaves chopped (about 4 cups packed)
07 - 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes, drained

→ Beans

08 - 2 cans (14 oz each) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed

→ Liquids

09 - 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
10 - 1 cup water

→ Seasonings

11 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
12 - 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
13 - 1 bay leaf
14 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
15 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Garnish

16 - 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
17 - Extra virgin olive oil for drizzling
18 - Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion, carrots, and celery; sauté for 5 to 6 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add chopped kale to the pot and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until slightly wilted.
04 - Mix in diced tomatoes, drained cannellini beans, vegetable broth, water, thyme, rosemary, bay leaf, and red pepper flakes if using.
05 - Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
06 - Remove bay leaf. For creamier consistency, use a potato masher to gently mash some beans directly in the pot.
07 - Taste soup and adjust seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed.
08 - Ladle soup into bowls and top with grated Parmesan, a drizzle of olive oil, and fresh parsley if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under an hour but tastes like you've been tending it all day.
  • The beans naturally create a creamy texture without any cream, making it feel indulgent yet wholesome.
  • One pot means minimal cleanup, which is honestly the best part of weeknight cooking.
02 -
  • Rinsing the canned beans is non-negotiable, as the starchy liquid will make your soup taste metallic and cloudy instead of bright and clean.
  • The mashing step is what transforms this from a simple bean soup into something that feels creamy and luxurious, so don't skip it even if you're tempted.
03 -
  • Make a double batch and freeze half in individual containers so you have instant comfort waiting on harder days.
  • The flavor deepens overnight as the beans continue softening, so leftovers are often better than the first serving.
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