Tuscan White Bean Soup Recipe
This comforting Tuscan White Bean Soup combines creamy cannellini beans, sautéed vegetables, and fragrant herbs to create a rich and hearty dish. Infused with white wine and balanced by the addition of fresh kale, this soup offers a cozy, nutritious meal perfect for any season.
- Author: mia
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Tuscan, Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Beans and Broth
- 3 15-ounce cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 1/2 – 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 yellow onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 large carrots, peeled and chopped
- 1 stalk celery, diced
- 2 cups chopped kale, stems removed and finely chopped
Liquids and Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/3 cup white wine (pinot grigio recommended)
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 bay leaves
- Sauté Onion: Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the finely chopped yellow onion and sauté until it begins to soften and turn slightly golden.
- Add Vegetables: Stir in minced garlic, diced celery, and chopped carrots. Continue to sauté for about 10 minutes, allowing the vegetables to soften and brown slightly, which enhances their flavors.
- Add Wine: Pour in the white wine and cook, stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid evaporates, about 5 minutes. This step intensifies the soup’s flavor profile.
- Add Remaining Ingredients: Incorporate the drained cannellini beans, tomato paste, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, dried thyme, dried oregano, bay leaves, and start with 2 1/2 cups of broth. Stir well to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
- Simmer: Bring the mixture to a boil, then cover the pot and reduce the heat to low. Let the soup simmer gently for 15 minutes, allowing flavors to meld.
- Blend Soup: Remove and discard the bay leaves. Carefully transfer about 2 1/2 to 3 cups of the soup to a blender. Blend until smooth to create a creamy texture that balances the chunkier ingredients.
- Combine and Adjust Consistency: Pour the blended soup back into the pot and stir well. If the soup is too thick, add additional broth a little at a time until your desired consistency is reached.
- Add Kale: Stir in the chopped kale and let the soup simmer for a few more minutes so the kale wilts and softens. Taste and adjust seasoning with extra salt, pepper, or a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and serve warm. Optionally pair with hearty bread for a satisfying meal. Enjoy your Tuscan White Bean Soup!
Notes
- Broth amount can be adjusted between 2 1/2 to 4 cups depending on desired soup thickness.
- Omitting red pepper flakes makes the soup milder; add them to taste for a subtle heat.
- Using fresh herbs in place of dried can enhance the soup’s freshness.
- The blending step smooths some of the beans for a creamy texture while leaving other beans whole for bite.
- Serving with crusty bread complements the soup and adds satisfying texture.
Keywords: Tuscan white bean soup, cannellini bean soup, Italian soup, kale soup, hearty vegetarian soup