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Italian White Bean Soup with Spinach

Hearty Italian white bean soup with spinach in a rustic tomato broth.

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A simple, comforting soup that simmers with the warm, herby scents of garlic, rosemary, and tomatoes. Packed with creamy cannellini beans and vibrant spinach, it’s a nourishing vegetarian meal that comes together quickly with pantry staples.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 3 medium carrots, peeled and diced
  • 3 celery stalks, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary (or 1 sprig fresh, finely chopped)
  • 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 (15-ounce) cans cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, with their juices
  • 6 cups vegetable broth (low-sodium preferred)
  • 1 Parmesan rind
  • 5 ounces fresh baby spinach
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • For serving: Grated Parmesan cheese, a drizzle of good olive oil, crusty bread

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 8-10 minutes.
  2. Add minced garlic, oregano, rosemary, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir constantly for about 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Add rinsed cannellini beans, diced tomatoes with juices, vegetable broth, and the Parmesan rind. Stir and bring to a lively simmer.
  4. Reduce heat to medium-low, partially cover the pot, and let simmer gently for 20-25 minutes.
  5. Remove pot from heat. Fish out any remaining Parmesan rind bits. Stir in fresh baby spinach in handfuls until wilted. Season generously with salt and black pepper to taste.

Notes

The soup tastes even better the next day. For a creamier texture without dairy, blend one cup of soup with an extra can of drained beans and stir back into the pot. Do not overcook the spinach; add it after turning off the heat.

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