Tuscan White Bean Soup Recipe

By the Care2 Staff.

Filled with flavor, this satisfying soup is a mainstay of Italian country cooking. Tender beans give it creaminess without fat, and olive oil, garlic, and leeks add healthy-promoting benefits as well as great taste. You can add some grated cheese on each serving, or make a vegan version and never miss the dairy.

Imagine a Tuscan farmhouse kitchen: You can smell a tang of wood smoke from the hearth where a pot of this savory soup bubbles over the fire. A bottle of hearty red wine is set on the sturdy table, a loaf of rustic whole-grain bread nearby. Pull up a chair. Breathe deeply. Autumn is a good time to enjoy the comforts of soup. The Mediterranean way of eating and living well never tasted better!

INGREDIENTS

1 pound dried white navy beans
4 tablespoons olive oil
3 medium leeks, white and tender green parts, washed well and chopped
5 stalks celery, chopped
3 garlic cloves, finely minced
3 carrots, scrubbed and diced
5 cups good-quality vegetable broth
1 1/2 teaspoons fresh rosemary, chopped, or 1 teaspoon dried
Salt and freshly-ground black pepper, to taste
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1/3 cup grated Parmagiano-Reggiano or Asiago cheese (optional)

1. Soak beans in water overnight, then drain and rinse well.

2. Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a heavy-bottomed soup pot and add leeks. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until leeks begin to soften. Add celery, garlic, and carrots and cook, stirring frequently, for 10 minutes. Add stock, rinsed navy beans, herbs, salt, and pepper. Bring soup to a boil, then cover, reduce heat, and allow to simmer over low heat for 1 hour.

3. Puree 3 cups of soup in a blender (to make the beans creamy) and pour back into the pot. Add lemon juice, and more self and pepper if needed.

4. Ladle soup into individual bowls. Top each portion with some of the remaining olive oil and sprinkle with cheese, if desired.

Serves 6.

Read more: Food, All recipes, Soups & Salads

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Jennifer C.

12:39AM PDT on Aug 24, 2011

Healthy soup recipe. Thanks for posting.

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Patty G.

8:01PM PDT on Sep 24, 2010

This soup sounds delicious. My son took me to an Italian resturant in Dearborn and they serve a similar soup, its delicious. Maybe this is it.!! Thank you.

John M.

11:05AM PDT on Jun 13, 2010

This recipe has the right ingredients to make a great soup.I will try it this week.Thanks!

AM L.

10:01AM PDT on Jun 2, 2010

Searched the web and found my way back to Care2, how nice. I have everything on hand, but the cheese which I'll pick up tonight with a crusty break to heat in the oven and we're set for tomorrow night! Thank you!

10:15PM PDT on Apr 8, 2010

This is really great recipe.I must say Bean soup is always a winner around here.Me and my husband both have enjoyed to take this soup.Thanks for sharing such a great recipe here...
m3 ds real

Mary Beth M.

6:38AM PST on Mar 10, 2010

sounds great!

Jet T.

5:08PM PST on Dec 27, 2009

Easy, inexpensive, healthy, really tasty. What more could anyone want?

Julie H.

4:10AM PDT on Jun 1, 2009

I've made this several times for mt family and we love it. Even my meat loving husband has to admit that it's good! It has quickly become my favorite and is often requested by my step-dad when we have the family over for dinner. It is awesome with a small side salad and crusty loaf of bread.

Cindy L.

1:29PM PST on Feb 27, 2009

This is a great soup. I added a couple of smoked turkey wings for a richer flavor and a bit of meat. Throw the wings in during the simmer process, then pick the meat off when done.