THE BEST WHITE BEAN SOUP

Name: THE BEST WHITE BEAN SOUP
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Ingredients: 2 cans (28oz - 800 grams) cannellini beans or white beans, drained; 1 medium-size onion, diced; 1 celery stalk, diced; 1 large carrot, diced; 1-2 garlic cloves, diced or pressed; 1 cup (7 oz - 200 grams), frozen spinach * ((optional)); 2 medium-size potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks; 1 Tbsp olive oil, plus more for serving; 1 Tbsp tomato paste; 1/3 cup (80 ml) white wine (); 1 sprig rosemary (or 1 Tbsp of chopped fresh leaves/1/2 tsp of dried); 2 cups (500 ml) vegetable broth or hot water (); 1/2 tsp paprika ((optional)); 1/2 tsp fine salt, plus more to taste; 1/8 tsp black pepper, plus more to taste

Nov 8, 2019 by Katia · 323 Comments

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If you ever thought that beans are boring, this thick flavor-packed white bean soup will blow your mind! This is a simple, vegan, and budget-friendly recipe that tastes and smells amazing.

Plus, it’s ready in 20 minutes and it only costs about $1 per serving!

All it takes is humble canned white beans, a few vegetables, and two of my favorite secret-weapon ingredients: rosemary and a dash of white wine. And when you add these aromatic ingredients to the pot, something magical happens and takes this simple soup to the next level!

A top view of a white bowl full of white bean soup over a wooden background.

Jump to recipe

Make it right and this white bean soup gets it all: flavor, texture, color, and amazing nutritional benefits.
It’s thick, comforting, and perfect for dunking crusty whole-grain bread in.

Once you try it, you’ll want more!

What ingredients you need

White beans (such as cannellini or navy beans)
Onion, carrot, celery
Garlic
Potato
Spinach (optional)
Tomato paste
White wine
Rosemary
Olive oil
Paprika (optional)
Salt & pepper

How to make it

Saute’ onion, carrot, celery in olive oil for 5 minutes
Add beans, garlic, tomato paste, potatoes, rosemary and a pinch of salt and pepper
Stir in the wine, toss well and simmer until it has evaporated

Add vegetable broth, frozen spinach and cook until the potatoes are soft
Taste and adjust the seasoning

Serve with a drizzle of olive oil, black pepper, and crusty bread. Enjoy!

This easy and budget-friendly white bean soup delivers a healthy and delicious midweek family meal in 20 minutes.

It’s vegan, gluten-free and packed with protein. Always keep a few cans of these handy and inexpensive pulses in your pantry, they are perfect for a last-minute meal.

ARE WHITE BEANS GOOD FOR YOU?

If you’re wondering if white beans are healthy and good for you, the answer is yes!
Cannellini beans are low on calories but loaded with minerals, antioxidants, and fiber.
Plus, these white beans are a terrific source of vegetarian protein and they’re highly filling, making them a very weight loss-friendly food.

Plus, if you enjoy this cannellini soup with some whole grain bread, you’ll get plenty of fiber!

RECIPE NOTES & TIPS

WHITE BEANS

I love cannellini beans, but you can use white beans such as navy beans or Great Northern beans, they work just fine.

WHY DOES THIS WHITE BEAN SOUP TASTE SO GOOD?

Start cooking slowly a mix of diced carrots, celery, onion and garlic in a bit of olive oil. In Italy, this is called “soffritto” and creates a flavorsome base for basically any savory dish.

Then add white beans, potatoes, rosemary and a dash of white wine to this aromatic base. When you add white wine to the pot, you add a that of acidity which brings out the other flavors. And it smells so good!

Serve with freshly ground black pepper and a drizzle of good olive oil or extra virgin olive oil, the best options when it comes to flavor and health benefits.
If you don’t keep it vegan, enjoy it with freshly grated parmesan cheese which adds extra flavor and creaminess!

WHITE WINE

Cooking with white wine adds richness and a new dimension of flavor.
Any leftover of drinkable white wine is suitable for cooking, don’t waste it. And you know what? You can also freeze it in small portions, perfect for home cooking.

TEXTURE

Both starchy potatoes and soft cannellini beans make this soup thick, creamy and yummy. Plus, if you slightly mash the soft potato cubes and beans with a wooden spoon, that makes this white bean soup even thicker.

HOW LONG DOES IT KEEP?

This easy vegan white bean soup keeps well in the fridge, in an airtight container, for up to 3-4 days.
It’s also freezable: divide among airtight containers (leaving 1-inch space at the top), and freeze up to 2 months.

MORE CANNELLINI BEAN RECIPES?

Italian white bean soup, loaded with big bold flavors
Smoky beans on toast, the perfect vegan crunchy bruschetta
Cannellini bean salad, so tasty with a homemade lemon garlic dressing
Cannellini bean recipes you will love, from creamy soups to salads!

If you try this delicious soup, let me know! Leave a comment, rate it, or tag a photo #theclevermeal on Instagram.
I would love to hear from you!

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4.98 from 96 votes