Creamy White Bean Soup
A bowl of this Creamy White Bean Soup is a tasty (and healthy) way to warm up on a cold winter evening!
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This Creamy White Bean Soup is a perfect example of a soup recipe that can be made on a busy weeknight. It highlights the modest white bean (also known as cannellini bean or white kidney bean), and a bowl of this soup will really hit the spot on a cold winter evening!
White beans are a great way to add creaminess to a dish without actually adding cream. At this time of the year, I’m all about leaving out the cream as we recover from all of the yummy holiday eats! Once the white beans simmer in the pot for a bit, just puree them with an immersion blender to create a delicious, creamy soup.
Creamy White Bean Soup
This soup comes in low on the calorie meter, too – perfect for post-holiday diets! This soup is essentially just onions, celery, cannellini beans and chicken broth. (You could use vegetable broth to make this recipe vegetarian.)
The flavor in this soup comes from the generous seasonings as well as a small bit of grated Parmesan cheese that gets stirred in at the end. The taste of the Italian seasoning really comes through. (Italian seasoning is a combination of dried herbs – usually basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme and marjoram.) I also added a tiny bit of half-and-half cream to boost the creaminess of this soup, but it’s just ¼ cup.
This Creamy White Bean Soup makes 4 large bowls. Feel free to double it if you have a large family or you want leftovers for the week. We love reheating soup for quick and easy weekday lunches during the winter.
What to Serve with Creamy White Bean Soup
I highly recommend serving a bowl of this soup with a loaf of crusty Italian bread. Just rip off a hunk of bread, and you’re good to go. You could also serve this soup with a small side salad, or if you’re looking for something a bit heartier then go with a half sandwich. (These Italian Grilled Cheese Sandwiches are pretty fantastic with a bowl of soup!)
How to Store Leftover Soup
Leftover soup should be stored in an airtight container for up to 7 days. To reheat, just use a microwave or a small saucepan on the stovetop. This soup also freezes well! Freeze leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 months. To thaw, just place the container in the refrigerator overnight.
I don’t know about you, but I love opening the freezer and seeing a variety of different leftover soups in there. It helps mix things up as we brave the cold winter days.
If you’re looking for a healthy and easy soup, then put this Creamy White Bean Soup on the menu next week. This soup was a huge hit here in our house. Enjoy!
Did you make a batch of this Creamy White Bean Soup at home? Leave a comment, or better yet snap a photo and tag me on Instagram (@Spicedblog) – I’d love to see your version!
Creamy White Bean Soup
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 celery stalks chopped
- 1 large yellow onion diced
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 15-oz. cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 tsp Italian seasonings
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ¼ cup half-and-half
- 1 tsp red wine vinegar
- 2 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese plus more for garnishing
- {garnish} chopped parsley
Instructions
- Using a large pot or Dutch oven, add olive oil and place over medium heat.
- Once hot, add celery and onion; stir until well combined. Sauté, stirring occasionally, for 5-6 minutes, or until onions are transparent.
- Add garlic, stir, and continue sauteing for 1-2 more minutes.
- Add chicken broth, beans, Italian seasonings, salt and pepper; stir until well combined. Increase to medium-high heat and bring to a boil.
- Once boiling, reduce to low heat and let simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add half-and-half, sherry vinegar and Parmesan cheese; stir until well combined.
- Using an immersion blender, process until smooth. (Note: If you don’t have an immersion blender, you can carefully pour the soup into a blender or food processor.)
- Garnish with chopped parsley and a sprinkle of additional Parmesan cheese before serving.
Notes
Looking for more tasty white bean recipes? Check out these other favorites:
Cant wait to make this soon for me can i use vegetable broth i never had creamy white bean soup before perfect for raining days in Singapore and after office meals love your recipes as always brightens up my day everyday after work
Yes! Veggie broth would be a great way to make this soup vegetarian. It’s a good choice for rainy days. I hope you enjoy it, Ramya!
Nice! I adore bean soups!
Me, too! Thanks, Mimi!
Sounds perfect for a cold winter day!
Thanks, Barb! This soup really does hit the spot on cold winter days. Stay warm! 🙂
So creamy and hearty! Love cannellini beans, they’re always a forgotten staple in the pantry — great reminder to pull them out and use them.
Thanks, Michelle! This soup is a fun way to use cannellini beans…I love how creamy it is. It feels decadent, but the creaminess is just from the beans!
yes i love cannellini beans too. So hearty and comforting. great in soups and stews. I sometimes make a cannellini and couscous fritter. sounds a bit bland but it ends up wonderfully with herbs and spices.
Happy new year again
sherry
I agree with you, Sherry! Cannellini beans by themselves can be a bit boring, but they take herbs and spices well. This soup is a great example. Plus, I love how creamy it is! Happy New Year right back at ya!
This Creamy White Bean Soup sounds like the ultimate winter comfort food! I love how it achieves that velvety texture without relying on heavy cream, such a clever use of white beans.
We’re all about winter comfort food right now, but we’re also trying to keep the calorie count down since we’re recovering from holiday eating. This soup was a great option that checked both categories!
I love cannoli beans, and your soup looks delicious. It’s healthy and perfect for a cold winter day.
This soup really is good for a cold winter day. Give it a try sometime! Thanks, Gerlinde!
Sounds great, I’m all about healthy soups with hunks of bread for dinner this time of year!
Happy New Year, David!
Happy New Year right back at ya, Nicole! Hope y’all are staying warm and well out there. It’s soup season here in the mountains! 🙂
I love white bean soup. So delicious and so quick and easy if you used canned beans! It’s a winter staple in our house.