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Creamy White Bean Soup

Featured in Comforting Soup and Stew Recipes to Warm Your Soul.

This bean stew blends cannellini beans, fresh veggies, and Italian herbs for a speedy, simple, and wholesome meal that's naturally dairy-free.
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Updated on Sat, 03 May 2025 13:56:59 GMT
A cozy bowl of white bean stew with kale, carrots, and a sprinkle of cheese, served next to crusty bread slices. Pin it
A cozy bowl of white bean stew with kale, carrots, and a sprinkle of cheese, served next to crusty bread slices. | chefmelt.com

I wanna tell you about my go-to comfort soup that's now our meatless Monday superstar! I tried making something filling yet nutritious and stumbled upon this smooth white bean soup that works like a charm. When you mix soft beans, garden veggies and bright greens, you get the most fulfilling bowl ever. The first time it hit our table, my carnivore hubby actually asked for more!

What Makes This Soup Stand Out

This goes way beyond regular bean soup! The smooth texture you get from blending part of the beans gives you amazing richness without needing cream. Just last week my veggie-loving friend couldn't believe how filling it was. Even my little ones who usually run from anything green finish everything, especially when there's crusty bread for dipping!

Your Shopping List

  • Foundation Elements:
    • Quality olive oil
    • Sweet onion and garlic
    • Crunchy celery and carrots
    • Smooth cannellini beans
  • Taste Boosters:
    • Flavorful vegetable broth
    • Tomato paste for richness
    • Italian herbs
    • Red pepper flakes if you want heat
  • Final Additions:
    • Leafy kale or spinach
    • Tangy lemon juice
    • Grated Parmesan as an option

The Cooking Process

Creating Flavor Foundations
We start by working magic with those fragrant veggies in olive oil. Your kitchen will smell incredible as everything softens and mingles together. My kids always wander in wondering what smells so awesome!
Getting That Smooth Texture
Blending part of the soup turns it into this silky delight. I love seeing how a quick whizz with the blender makes everything so velvety without any dairy!
Adding Fresh Greens
Tossing in those leafy greens at the end gives everything wonderful color and freshness. That squeeze of lemon makes all the flavors pop!
A bowl of bean soup filled with white beans, tomatoes, spinach, and garnished with slices of bread. Pin it
A bowl of bean soup filled with white beans, tomatoes, spinach, and garnished with slices of bread. | chefmelt.com

Getting It Just Right

Wanna know my tricks for amazing white bean soup? Always take time with those veggies at the beginning, they need to develop their flavors. That little spoonful of tomato paste brings wonderful complexity. And here's my top tip: save the greens for the final minute of cooking so they stay vibrant and perky!

Ready To Eat

This soup needs good friends! We always have warm crusty bread nearby for mopping up the bowl. When friends come over, I'll put out little bowls of extras: shaved Parmesan, chili flakes, maybe some chopped herbs. Sometimes a drizzle of fancy olive oil on top makes it look restaurant-worthy!

Storing Your Soup

The flavor actually improves overnight! All those ingredients get time to mingle together. I usually cook extra and freeze some, perfect for busy nights when you need warming food fast. Just warm it up slowly and maybe throw in some fresh greens.

Switch Things Up

Feel free to experiment with this! Sometimes I swap in different beans, great northern or navy beans work just as well. My spice-loving kid adds extra chili flakes to his serving. I once mixed in some leftover quinoa for more protein, it was fantastic! That's the fun of cooking, finding what works best for you.

A bowl of hearty white bean soup with carrots and kale, accompanied by slices of bread. Pin it
A bowl of hearty white bean soup with carrots and kale, accompanied by slices of bread. | chefmelt.com

The Real Value Of This Meal

This soup has become our favorite way to eat more veggie-based meals! There's something really satisfying about making a filling, hearty dish that's good for you too. My kids are learning about eating more plants by seeing how simple stuff can turn into something amazing.

What I love most isn't just the taste, it's watching everyone's shocked faces when they realize how filling a meatless meal can be! Whether you're trying to get more veggies in your life or just want something cozy and wholesome, this always delivers. And seeing people discover how awesome simple healthy food can be? That's what makes cooking worth it!

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use other kinds of white beans?
Absolutely, go for navy beans, great northern beans, or chickpeas. Any of them will keep that creamy texture.
→ How do I tweak the soup's thickness?
Use less broth for a thicker soup or more to thin it out. Blending extra soup can also make it thicker.
→ Can I swap the greens out?
Totally! Kale and spinach are great options. Kale needs a bit longer to cook, but spinach softens fast.
→ How long will this soup last in the fridge?
It'll stay fresh in a sealed container for 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
→ Is this soup good for planning meals?
For sure! This soup is awesome for meal prep. Reheat easily and enjoy the enhanced flavors after sitting.

White Bean Soup

A thick and creamy bean stew filled with fresh veggies and herbs. All done in 30 minutes, it's a warm and nourishing one-pot dish.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
25 Minutes
Total Time
40 Minutes

Category: Soups and Stews

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: Inspired by Italian flavors

Yield: 8 Servings (8 bowls)

Dietary: Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free

Ingredients

01 High-quality vegetable broth.
02 Sweet onion, chopped finely.
03 Fresh garlic, minced.
04 Tender carrot slices.
05 Chopped celery sticks.
06 Canned cannellini beans, thoroughly drained.
07 Smooth tomato paste.
08 Herbs typical of Italian seasoning, dried.
09 Fresh lemon juice.
10 Optional: vegan parmesan-style cheese.
11 A pinch of red pepper flakes.
12 Kale or baby spinach, fresh and clean.
13 Extra virgin olive oil.
14 A sprinkle of sea salt.
15 Freshly ground black pepper.

Instructions

Step 01

Toss in the kale or spinach and let it soften in the heat of the soup.

Step 02

Let the soup bubble gently on low heat for 15 minutes while giving it an occasional stir.

Step 03

Heat olive oil in a big pot, then cook the onions, garlic, carrots, and celery until they're soft and fragrant.

Step 04

Blend two cups of the soup and add it back, or quickly pulse with an immersion blender to thicken everything a bit.

Step 05

Mix the beans, broth, tomato paste, and seasonings into the pot. Stir until it all comes together well.

Step 06

Squeeze in lemon juice for a fresh kick and tweak the salt or spice before serving it piping hot.

Notes

  1. Other white beans work just as well.
  2. Use more or less broth for the thickness you want.
  3. Swap fresh herbs for dried ones if you'd like.

Tools You'll Need

  • Soup pot, big enough.
  • Blender or stick blender for pureeing.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • None typical, but check the broth label.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 325
  • Total Fat: 5 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 56 g
  • Protein: 18 g