Description
This White Bean Soup features a delicious Mediterranean-inspired blend of seasoned vegetables and creamy white beans, making it a comforting and nutritious dish perfect for incorporating extra veggies into your meals.
Ingredients
Soup Base
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 large carrots, chopped
- 3 celery stalks, chopped
- 6 cups low sodium vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper, plus more to taste
- 3 (15-ounce) cans white beans, drained and rinsed
Finishing Touches
- 5 ounces baby spinach
- Grated parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Sauté the vegetables: In a large pot or saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onions and cook until they become translucent, about 5 minutes. Next, add the minced garlic, chopped carrots, celery, dried thyme, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook this mixture for an additional 2 to 3 minutes, allowing the herbs and vegetables to release their flavors.
- Simmer the soup: Pour in the low sodium vegetable broth and add the drained and rinsed white beans. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Allow the soup to simmer for 15 minutes to blend all the flavors thoroughly.
- Add spinach: Stir in the baby spinach and continue simmering until the spinach wilts, which should take about 2 minutes.
- Season and serve: Remove the soup from the heat. Taste and adjust seasoning with extra salt or pepper if desired. Serve the soup immediately, sprinkling grated parmesan cheese on top if preferred.
Notes
- You can substitute white beans with cannellini or great northern beans if preferred.
- For a creamier texture, blend a portion of the soup before adding the spinach.
- To make this soup vegan, omit the parmesan cheese or use a dairy-free alternative.
- Adjust the vegetable broth quantity based on desired soup thickness.
- Adding a squeeze of lemon juice before serving can enhance the Mediterranean flavors.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
