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Authentic Hearty Tuscan White Bean and Kale Soup (One-Pot)

A close-up bowl of creamy tuscan white bean soup featuring large white beans and wilted kale.
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Make this comforting, rustic Tuscan White Bean Soup in one pot. It features creamy cannellini beans, kale, and aromatic herbs, making it a satisfying and easy Italian meal perfect for cool evenings.

Ingredients

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  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 ounces pancetta or Italian sausage, diced (optional)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 6 cups vegetable or chicken broth
  • 2 (15-ounce) cans cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 Parmesan rind (optional, for depth)
  • 4 cups chopped kale or spinach
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Crusty bread, for serving

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the pancetta or sausage, if using, and cook until browned and crisp. Remove the meat with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pot.
  2. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Cook until softened, about 5 to 7 minutes.
  3. Stir in the minced garlic, rosemary, thyme, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Pour in the broth and add the diced tomatoes (with their juice). Add the rinsed cannellini beans and the Parmesan rind, if you have one.
  5. Bring the soup to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
  6. Remove and discard the Parmesan rind. Stir in the chopped kale or spinach. Cook until the greens wilt, about 3 to 5 minutes.
  7. Taste the soup and season with salt and pepper as needed. If you prefer a creamier texture, mash about 1 cup of the beans against the side of the pot before serving.
  8. Ladle the hearty Tuscan white bean soup into bowls. Top with the reserved cooked meat (if used) and serve hot with crusty bread for dipping.

Notes

  • For a vegan version, skip the pancetta/sausage and Parmesan rind. Add 1 tablespoon of nutritional yeast at the end for a savory flavor boost.
  • This soup tastes better the next day, making it excellent for soup meal prep.
  • If you do not have cannellini beans, Great Northern beans work as a suitable substitute for this creamy cannellini bean soup.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookingzenith.com/tuscan-white-bean-soup-recipe-hearty/