Easy Ham and Bean Soup

Warm up your kitchen with this hearty and comforting Easy Ham and Bean Soup, a soul-soothing blend of tender white beans, savory diced ham, and a medley of aromatic vegetables. Perfect for busy weeknights or leisurely weekends, this flavorful soup comes together effortlessly in under an hour. Made with pantry staples like canned beans and chicken or vegetable broth, this recipe combines convenience with wholesome, homemade goodness. The rich depth of flavor is enhanced by thyme, garlic, and a touch of parsley, while mashing some of the beans gives the soup a creamy, rustic texture. Serve it piping hot with crusty bread or crackers for a satisfying bowl of comfort food that's family-friendly and packed with protein and nutrients.

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 medium carrots, peeled and diced
• 2 stalks celery stalks, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups ham, diced (fully cooked)
• 2 15-ounce cans canned white beans, drained and rinsed
• 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 piece bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or dried thyme)
• 0.5 teaspoons salt
• 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
• 0.25 cup parsley, chopped (optional garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the diced ham to the pot and stir to combine with the vegetables.

Step 5

Add the drained and rinsed white beans, chicken or vegetable broth, bay leaf, and thyme to the pot. Stir well.

Step 6

Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer uncovered for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 7

Season the soup with salt and black pepper to taste.

Step 8

If desired, use a potato masher to mash some of the beans in the pot to thicken the soup slightly. This step is optional.

Step 9

Remove the bay leaf before serving.

Step 10

Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with chopped parsley, if desired. Serve hot with crusty bread or crackers.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	3241.2 grams (3241.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1922

Total Fat 61.30g	79%
Saturated Fat 15.40g	77%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.70g
Cholesterol 237mg	79%
Sodium 13171mg	573%
Total Carbohydrate 183.90g	67%
Dietary Fiber 49.90g	178%
Total Sugars 29.20g
Protein 157.20g	314%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 671mg	52%
Iron 23mg	126%
Potassium 5311mg	113%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 28.8%

Protein: 32.8%

Carbs: 38.4%