If you love cozy, soul-satisfying soups that come together quickly and pack a punch of flavor, you’re going to want to stick around for my Creamy Tuscan White Bean Soup Recipe. This soup is a total weeknight winner—rich, creamy, and filled with tender beans and hearty veggies. It’s perfect for those days when you want comfort food that feels a bit fancy but is seriously easy to make. Trust me, once you try this, it’ll become your go-to soup for chilly evenings or anytime you need a warm hug in a bowl.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- One-Pot Wonder: Minimal cleanup means you get more time to enjoy your soup, not doing dishes.
- Quick & Easy: Ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute cozy meals.
- Naturally Creamy: No heavy cream needed—just a clever blend of beans that gives it a luscious richness.
- Versatile Flavor: A mix of classic Italian seasonings and a little kick of red pepper flakes that you can adjust to your taste.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This combination of simple, wholesome ingredients is what makes the Creamy Tuscan White Bean Soup Recipe so special. Each item brings its own unique texture and flavor, and buying good quality produce makes all the difference.
- Olive oil: This is your flavor foundation, so choose a good quality extra virgin for the best taste.
- Shallots (or small onion): Adds a mild sweetness that complements the garlic beautifully.
- Garlic: Fresh is key here; it wakes up the whole soup with its warm aroma.
- Carrots: I like to chop them small so they soften quickly and add subtle sweetness.
- Celery stalks: Diced for a bit of crunch and earthiness.
- Tomato paste: A little umami magic that deepens the soup’s flavor.
- Cannellini beans (canned): Drained and rinsed for creaminess and protein—canned works great for convenience.
- Vegetable broth: This is your soup base—3 to 5 cups depending on how thick you like it.
- Salt and pepper: To enhance and balance all those savory notes.
- Italian seasoning: My secret blend of herbs that tie everything together.
- Red pepper flakes: Just a touch to give the soup a gentle heat—adjust based on your spice tolerance.
- Kale or baby spinach: Crunchy, nutritious greens that wilt right into the soup for freshness.
Variations
I love that this Creamy Tuscan White Bean Soup Recipe is such a great base you can easily customize. Whether you want to make it vegan, swap veggies, or pack it with protein, there’s a way to make it your own.
- Protein boost: Add cooked Italian sausage or diced chicken for a heartier meal, which my family can’t get enough of.
- Green swaps: Baby spinach works as a milder alternative to kale if you prefer a gentler texture.
- Spice level: Feel free to dial back or amp up the red pepper flakes—my teens love it mild, but I like a little kick.
- Broth choice: Use chicken broth instead of vegetable broth if you want a richer flavor.
How to Make Creamy Tuscan White Bean Soup Recipe
Step 1: Sauté Your Aromatics
First up, heat your olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. When it’s shimmering, add your chopped shallots (or onion) and minced garlic. I like to cook these for about 3 minutes until they’re soft and fragrant but not browned—that’s where your flavor base builds. Once you smell that garlic, you’ll know you’re on the right track.
Step 2: Add the Veggies and Tomato Paste
Next, toss in your chopped carrots and diced celery. Sauté them together, stirring occasionally until they start to soften—usually about 5 minutes. Then stir in the tomato paste and cook it for about a minute. This step really enhances the depth of flavor and brings a lovely richness to the soup.
Step 3: Combine Beans and Broth
Time to add your cannellini beans, vegetable broth, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Bring everything to a gentle boil, then lower the heat to a simmer. Cover your pot and let it cook for 10-15 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and veggies to fully soften.
Step 4: Blitz Half the Soup for Creaminess
This is the fun part that makes this Tuscan white bean soup so creamy without any cream. Using a hand blender, pulse half of the soup right in the pot until it’s smooth and velvety but still chunky enough to enjoy hearty texture. If you don’t have a hand blender, you can carefully scoop out half the soup, blend it in a regular blender, then stir it back in.
Step 5: Wilt in Your Greens and Finish Up
Stir in your kale or spinach and cook just a few more minutes until the greens are tender but still vibrant. Give everything a good stir, then remove from heat and ladle the soup into bowls. You’ve got a bowl of comfort with a fresh, healthy kick!
Pro Tips for Making Creamy Tuscan White Bean Soup Recipe
- Don’t Overcook Your Aromatics: Keep your shallots and garlic soft but not brown to avoid bitterness and keep the base bright.
- Use a Hand Blender: Blitzing half the soup right in the pot gives the perfect creamy texture without losing chunkiness.
- Adjust Broth for Desired Thickness: Start with 3 cups and add more if you like your soup thinner—remember, you can always add, but can’t take away!
- Timing Your Greens: Add kale or spinach last to keep them bright and fresh, not overcooked or mushy.
How to Serve Creamy Tuscan White Bean Soup Recipe
Garnishes
I love topping this soup with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan. Sometimes I add a little cracked black pepper or even some toasted pine nuts for crunch. Fresh herbs like parsley or basil make it feel a little fancy, especially when entertaining friends.
Side Dishes
Crusty bread or garlic toast are my go-to sides—they’re perfect for dipping into the creamy broth. For a more substantial meal, pair this soup with a simple green salad or a quesadilla on the side.
Creative Ways to Present
For a cozy dinner party, I like to serve this soup in mini bread bowls—so cozy and impressive without extra work. Or, ladle into rustic ceramic mugs for family-style serving; it makes casual dinner feel a little special.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover soup in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 4 days. It actually tastes even better the next day because the flavors have time to meld together. Just give it a good stir before reheating.
Freezing
This soup freezes beautifully! Portion it into freezer-safe containers or bags and it will keep well for up to 3 months. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently on the stove.
Reheating
I reheat leftover soup on the stove over low heat, stirring often to keep it from sticking or scorching. If it seems too thick, a splash of broth or water helps loosen it right up without sacrificing creaminess.
FAQs
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Can I make this Creamy Tuscan White Bean Soup Recipe vegan?
Absolutely! The recipe as is uses vegetable broth and no dairy, so it’s already vegan-friendly. Just skip the cheese garnish or use a plant-based alternative to keep it fully vegan.
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What if I don’t have cannellini beans? Can I use another type?
You can swap cannellini beans for great northern beans or navy beans—they have a similar creamy texture and mild flavor that’ll work perfectly in this soup.
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How spicy is this soup with red pepper flakes?
The red pepper flakes add just a gentle warmth, not overpowering heat. You can easily adjust the amount or omit them if you prefer a milder soup.
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Can I prepare this soup in advance?
Definitely! This soup tastes great made a day ahead and stored in the fridge. Just reheat gently and add your greens fresh at the end (or after reheating) to keep them bright.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely love how this Creamy Tuscan White Bean Soup Recipe can be both simple and impressive all at once. It’s the kind of recipe that comforts you after a long day but also earns a spot on your recipe rotation for busy weeknights. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do, and that it brings a little Tuscan warmth and happiness to your kitchen. Give it a try, and I promise you’ll be reaching for the bread to dunk in your bowl in no time.
Print
Creamy Tuscan White Bean Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 1 min
- Cook Time: 25 min
- Total Time: 26 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This Tuscan White Bean Soup is a hearty, creamy, and flavorful dish packed with tender cannellini beans, fresh vegetables, and a blend of Italian seasonings. Made in one pot and ready in under 30 minutes, it’s a comforting and nutritious meal perfect for any day of the week.
Ingredients
Soup Base
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 shallots (or one small onion, chopped)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 large carrots (chopped)
- 3 stalks celery (diced)
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
Main Ingredients
- 17 oz cannellini beans (canned, drained and rinsed)
- 3–5 cups vegetable broth
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 4 ounces kale (or baby spinach)
Instructions
- Heat the oil and sauté aromatics: In a large pot over medium-high heat, warm the olive oil. Add the shallots (or chopped onion) and minced garlic, sautéing for about 3 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
- Add the vegetables: Incorporate the chopped carrots and diced celery into the pot. Continue to sauté until the vegetables start getting soft, approximately 5 minutes.
- Add tomato paste and beans: Stir in the tomato paste quickly to coat the vegetables, then add the drained and rinsed cannellini beans, vegetable broth, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes.
- Simmer the soup: Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover the pot and let it simmer gently for 10 to 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the vegetables to become tender.
- Blend for creaminess: Using a hand mixer, carefully blitz half of the soup directly in the pot to create a creamy texture while keeping some beans and vegetables whole. Be cautious not to blend the entire soup.
- Add greens and finish cooking: Stir in the kale or baby spinach, cooking for several more minutes until the greens wilt.
- Serve: Mix the soup well, remove from heat, and ladle into bowls for serving.
Notes
- This soup is rich and creamy without the use of dairy, making it naturally vegan and vegetarian friendly.
- The amount of vegetable broth can be adjusted between 3 to 5 cups to achieve your preferred soup consistency.
- Using a hand mixer to partially blend the soup adds creaminess while keeping texture.
- You can substitute kale with baby spinach for a milder flavor and quicker cooking time.
- The soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stove.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 263 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 31 g
- Fiber: 10 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg