Italian White Bean Soup

Warm, hearty, and bursting with flavor, this Italian White Bean Soup is the ultimate comfort food for chilly days. Featuring tender white beans, aromatic vegetables, and a perfectly balanced blend of thyme and oregano, this recipe brings the rustic charm of Italian cuisine to your table in just 45 minutes. Fresh spinach adds a vibrant touch, while a squeeze of lemon juice and a sprinkle of parmesan lend a delightful depth to each bowl. The soup’s natural creaminess is enhanced by lightly mashing some of the beans, creating a satisfying texture that pairs beautifully with crusty bread. Perfect as a wholesome weeknight dinner or a meal-prep favorite, this vegetarian soup is both nourishing and irresistibly delicious.

Nutriscore Rating: 77/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium, diced yellow onion
• 2 medium, peeled and diced carrot
• 2 diced celery stalks
• 4 cloves, minced garlic
• 6 cups vegetable broth
• 2 15-ounce cans, drained and rinsed canned white beans
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 bay leaf
• 4 cups fresh spinach
• 1 teaspoon or to taste salt
• 0.5 teaspoons or to taste black pepper
• 1 tablespoon (optional) lemon juice
• 0.5 cup, grated (optional) parmesan cheese
• 1 loaf, for serving (optional) crusty bread

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

Add the diced onion, carrot, and celery to the pot. Cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened.

Step 3

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

Step 4

Pour the vegetable broth into the pot and bring to a simmer.

Step 5

Add the drained and rinsed white beans, dried thyme, dried oregano, and the bay leaf to the pot. Stir to combine.

Step 6

Simmer the soup gently for 15–20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.

Step 7

Remove the bay leaf and discard.

Step 8

Using a potato masher or the back of a spoon, mash some of the beans in the pot to thicken the soup slightly.

Step 9

Add the fresh spinach to the pot and cook for 3–5 minutes, until wilted.

Step 10

Season the soup with salt and black pepper to taste.

Step 11

If desired, stir in the lemon juice to brighten the flavor.

Step 12

Ladle the soup into bowls and top with grated parmesan cheese, if using.

Step 13

Serve hot with slices of crusty bread on the side, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	3694 grams (3694.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3947

Total Fat 78.50g	101%
Saturated Fat 22.20g	111%
Polyunsaturated Fat 9.00g
Cholesterol 45mg	15%
Sodium 12064mg	525%
Total Carbohydrate 642.60g	234%
Dietary Fiber 104.40g	373%
Total Sugars 65.20g
Protein 186.20g	372%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1892mg	146%
Iron 46mg	258%
Potassium 9135mg	194%

*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: 17.6%

Protein: 18.5%

Carbs: 63.9%