1. Home
  2. Recipes
  3. White Bean Soup

White Bean Soup

Featured in Comforting Soups & Stews.

Smooth and hearty, this white bean meal blends veggies with gentle spices for a quick yet nourishing option. Done in under 30 minutes, it's naturally creamy but dairy-free.
Pin it Share it Send it Print it Jump To Recipe
A woman in a white chef's outfit with a chef's hat and apron.
Updated on Sun, 30 Mar 2025 00:22:25 GMT
A rustic bowl of creamy white bean soup with kale, carrots, and bread on the side. Pin it
A rustic bowl of creamy white bean soup with kale, carrots, and bread on the side. | cuisinegenial.com

I've gotta tell you about my go-to comfort dish that's now our Meatless Monday superstar! While trying to whip up something filling yet nutritious, I stumbled upon this smooth white bean soup that works like a charm. When you mix soft beans with garden-fresh veggies and those bright greens, you end up with the most rewarding bowl ever. The first time it hit our table, my carnivore hubby actually requested another serving!

What Makes This Soup Extraordinary

This goes way beyond regular bean soup! The smooth texture you get from whizzing up part of the beans creates amazing richness without needing any cream. Just days ago I served this to my veggie-loving buddy who was shocked by how filling it felt. Even my little ones who typically run from anything green finish everything, especially when there's crusty bread nearby for soaking!

Your Ingredients List

  • The Foundation:
    • Quality olive oil
    • Chopped onion and garlic
    • Crunchy celery and carrots
    • Smooth cannellini beans
  • The Taste Makers:
    • Flavorful vegetable broth
    • Tomato paste for richness
    • Herbs from Italy
    • Red pepper flakes if you want heat
  • The Final Additions:
    • Leafy kale or spinach
    • Tangy lemon juice
    • Perhaps some grated Parmesan to finish

Time To Get Cooking

Setting Up Flavors
We start by working some kitchen magic with those fragrant veggies in olive oil. Your kitchen will smell incredible as everything softens and mingles together. My children always wander in wondering what smells so wonderful!
Making It Smooth
Blending part of the soup turns it into this silky wonder. I can't get enough of seeing how just a quick buzz makes everything so velvety without any dairy!
Adding Life With Greens
Tossing in those fresh greens at the end brings such gorgeous color and vitality. That bit of lemon juice really wakes up all the flavors!
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. | cuisinegenial.com

Nailing The Technique

Wanna know my tricks for knockout white bean soup? Always take time with those veggies at the beginning, they need proper cooking to build flavor. That small spoon of tomato paste brings wonderful richness. And my top suggestion? Drop the greens in right before you serve so they stay vivid and perky!

Ready For The Table

This soup needs good friends! We always have warm crusty bread nearby for mopping up the last bits. When friends come over, I'll put out several garnishes, extra Parmesan, chili flakes, maybe some snipped herbs. Sometimes a drizzle of fancy olive oil on top makes it look super impressive!

Storage Solutions

This soup tastes even better tomorrow! The flavors have time to get cozy with each other. I usually cook twice as much and stash portions in the freezer, perfect for busy evenings when you need warming food quickly. Just warm it up gently and throw in some fresh greens if you've got them.

Try These Twists

Feel free to switch things up! Sometimes I throw in different beans, great northern or navy varieties work wonderfully. My heat-loving boy adds extra chili flakes to his portion. Once I mixed in some cooked quinoa for a protein boost, fantastic! That's the joy of cooking, finding your own perfect mix.

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. | cuisinegenial.com

The Impact Of This Dish

This soup has become our favorite way to pack in more plant-based meals! There's something truly satisfying about making a hearty filling dinner that also happens to be good for your body. My children learn about eating more veggies by watching how basic ingredients transform into something amazing.

The greatest joy isn't just the taste, it's seeing everyone's amazed faces when they realize how filling a meatless dish can be! Whether you're aiming to eat more plants or just want something warm and nourishing, this always hits the spot. And watching folks discover the wonder of basic healthy foods? That's what makes time in the kitchen so worthwhile!

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Is it possible to switch out the beans?
Absolutely! Swap in navy beans, garbanzo beans, or northern beans. Any white bean choice works for a creamy bite.
→ How to adjust the thickness of this soup?
Add more broth for a thinner blend or puree extra soup for a thicker consistency. It's easy to tweak!
→ Can I use other types of greens?
Totally! Both kale and spinach are great, though kale takes longer to soften. Spinach wilts super fast!
→ How long can I keep leftovers?
Keep it in a sealed container in the fridge up to 5 days. Freeze extras for up to 3 months.
→ Does it work for meal prep?
Yes, it’s great for planning ahead! The flavors get better over time, and it reheats effortlessly.

White Bean Soup

This cozy creamy bean dish is packed with fresh veggies and herbs. A quick one-pot comfort food ready to enjoy in just 30 minutes.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
25 Minutes
Total Time
40 Minutes
By: Ferdaous

Category: Soups & Stews

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: Inspired by Italian flavors

Yield: 8 Servings (8 bowls)

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

Ingredients

01 Rich tomato paste.
02 Finely diced fresh onion.
03 Minced fresh garlic.
04 Cut large carrots into rounds.
05 Chopped fresh celery.
06 Canned white cannellini beans, rinsed.
07 Vegetable broth of good quality.
08 Extra virgin olive oil.
09 Ground black pepper.
10 Sea salt.
11 Dried herbs, Italian blend.
12 Crushed red pepper flakes.
13 Baby spinach or fresh kale.
14 Lemon juice, freshly squeezed.
15 Optional: Parmesan alternative that's plant-based.

Instructions

Step 01

Heat up olive oil in a big pot and toss in the onions, garlic, carrots, and celery. Stir while they soften up.

Step 02

Add in the beans, broth, tomato paste, and spices. Stir it all together thoroughly.

Step 03

Let everything simmer without a lid for about 15 minutes. Give it a stir every so often.

Step 04

Scoop out two cups of soup, blend until creamy, and pour back in. Or just give a couple of quick blitzes with an immersion blender.

Step 05

Stir in your spinach or kale and let them wilt with the soup's heat.

Step 06

Add fresh lemon juice for brightness. Taste it and tweak the seasoning as needed before serving warm.

Notes

  1. White beans like cannellini or others work fine.
  2. Use less broth if you want it thicker.
  3. Swap in fresh herbs if you prefer.

Tools You'll Need

  • A big soup pot.
  • Blender or handheld immersion blender.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Check your broth ingredients, but commonly nothing triggers allergies.

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