Cozy White Bean Soup Recipe
This Cozy White Bean Soup is a comforting and hearty dish featuring creamy white beans, fresh vegetables, and aromatic herbs simmered to perfection. Enhanced with kale and finished with a touch of Pecorino cheese and lemon juice, it offers a warm, flavorful, and nutritious meal ideal for any season.
- Author: mia
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Sautéing, Simmering, Blending
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
- Diet: Vegetarian
Vegetables
- 1 white onion, diced
- 1 carrot, sliced
- 1 celery stick, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- Kale, chopped (about 100g)
Beans and Liquids
- 2 x 400g tins white beans, drained
- 500ml vegetable stock
- 80ml white wine
Seasonings and Herbs
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary, diced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Pinch of red pepper flakes
Finishing Touches
- 1/2 lemon, juice only
- 20g Pecorino cheese, grated
- Extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling (optional)
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the diced onion, sliced carrot, and diced celery. Sauté for 7-9 minutes, stirring frequently, until the vegetables soften. Add a splash of water if the vegetables start sticking to the pan.
- Add Garlic and Seasonings: Stir in the minced garlic, tomato paste, bay leaf, Italian seasoning, diced rosemary, and dried oregano. Cook for 1-2 minutes to release the flavors.
- Deglaze with Wine: Pour in the white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping any browned bits from the bottom. Let the wine reduce for a few minutes.
- Add Stock and Beans: Add the vegetable stock and drained white beans to the pan. Bring to a simmer.
- Blend Soup: Using a hand blender, blend about half of the soup in the pan to create a creamy texture while keeping some beans whole. For a smoother soup, blend more. Let the soup simmer for 5-8 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Add Kale and Season: Stir the chopped kale into the soup and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the pan from heat. Stir in the lemon juice. Serve the soup topped with grated Pecorino cheese, an extra pinch of red pepper flakes if desired, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
Notes
- You can substitute kale with spinach or Swiss chard if preferred.
- For a gluten-free version, ensure the vegetable stock and tomato paste do not contain gluten additives.
- If you prefer a vegan option, omit the Pecorino cheese or use a vegan cheese alternative.
- The soup can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stove.
- Adjust the consistency by adding more or less vegetable stock depending on your preference.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approx. 350g)
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 10 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 8 mg
Keywords: white bean soup, cozy soup, vegetarian soup, healthy soup, kale soup, Italian soup, comfort food