White Bean Soup with Kale Recipe

5 from 2 votes

This Hearty White Bean Soup with Kale is cozy, nourishing, and full of flavor. Made with cannellini beans, fresh veggies, and herbs, it’s the perfect comforting meal for cool days

Prep Time18

Cook Time35

Total Time53

Course: Soup

Cuisine: American, Italian

Keyword: cannellini bean soup recipe, creamy white bean soup, kale soup with white beans, tuscan white bean soup recipe, white bean soup, white bean soup with kale

Servings: people

Ingredients

4 cups white beans cannellini or northern white
4 cups carrots sliced
2 cups celery chopped
4 cups kale spine removed, chopped
2 cups white onions diced
5 cloves garlic minced
1 parmesan rind
2 tbsp olive oil
2 bay leaves
4 cups vegetable broth
1 tsp sea salt
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp thyme
1 tsp Italian seasoning

Instructions

Heat olive oil in a large dutch oven pot, over medium heat. Add onions, garlic, celery, and carrots. Sauté for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften. Don't bring the heat up, allow the veggies to cook slowly and soften. Because we have a lot of veggies it's possible to take longer than 10 minutes to cook them down.
Pour in the cooked white beans along with enough water or broth to cover (start with 4 cups, depending on how thick you like your soup add more later).
Stir in the thyme, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and bay leaves. Season with salt and pepper. Add the parmesan rind (if using) for extra umami depth. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook uncovered for 20–25 minutes.
For a creamier, thicker soup, scoop out 1–2 cups of the soup and blend until smooth. Stir it back into the pot to create a rich, velvety texture while still keeping plenty of whole beans and vegetables. Alternatively use an immersion blender and process directly in the soup pot.
Add kale during the last 10 minutes of cooking. Stir well.
Remove the bay leaves and parmesan rind. Adjust seasonings if needed, then serve warm with a drizzle of olive oil, a sprinkle of grated Parmesan and lemon juice for brightness.

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