The Best White Bean Soup | Amazing Comfort Recipe

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There’s something about a simmering pot on a chilly night that makes the house feel alive. The aroma of garlic and rosemary fills the air, and suddenly, everything slows down. The Best White Bean Soup is warm, creamy, and full of comfort — a simple meal that brings everyone closer around the table.

Why You’ll Love This Soup

This recipe fits easily into busy weeknights. It’s quick, budget-friendly, and made with pantry staples. White beans bring natural creaminess and protein, while the veggies add gentle sweetness and depth. You can also tweak it — add greens, spice it up, or keep it rustic and mellow. Every version tastes like home.

Ingredients at a Glance

Here’s what makes this soup shine.
White beans form the creamy heart of the dish. The classic soffritto — onion, carrot, celery, and garlic — gives it that cozy base. Potatoes help thicken the broth naturally. Rosemary adds earthy aroma, while tomato paste gives a subtle tang. You can also toss in spinach for color or paprika for warmth.

Best Beans to Use

Cannellini beans work beautifully because they’re tender and rich. However, you can also use navy or Great Northern beans. If you use dried beans, remember to soak and cook them beforehand until soft.

Flavor Essentials

The soffritto — onion, carrot, celery, and garlic — builds that deep flavor. Then, the white wine and rosemary give brightness and balance. These two are small steps that make The Best White Bean Soup truly special.

Step-by-Step: How to Make White Bean Soup

  1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
  2. Add onion, carrot, and celery. Stir often for about 5 minutes until fragrant.
  3. Add garlic, beans, tomato paste, potatoes, rosemary, and paprika if using. Cook for a minute.
  4. Pour in white wine and let it simmer until it reduces — about a minute.
  5. Stir in spinach, broth, salt, and pepper. Bring everything to a boil.
  6. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes until potatoes are soft.
  7. Remove from heat, discard the rosemary sprig, and adjust seasoning.
  8. Serve warm with a drizzle of olive oil, cracked pepper, and maybe some parmesan.

Get the Perfect Texture

If you like it creamier, mash a few beans and potatoes right in the pot or blend a small portion. For a thinner broth, add a bit more water or broth. The trick is to stop before it turns smooth — you want some texture left.

The Best White Bean Soup topped with parmesan and black pepper on a white-gray table

Health Benefits of White Bean Soup

This bowl is hearty and healthy at once. White beans offer fiber and plant-based protein that keep you full for hours. Potatoes and carrots add natural sweetness, while spinach boosts vitamins and minerals. It’s vegetarian, nutrient-dense, and comforting — all at the same time.

Expert Tips & Variations

  • Fresh spinach works best at the end so it stays bright.
  • You can skip the wine and use extra broth or a splash of lemon juice instead.
  • Add kale or chard for a heartier twist.
  • Make a big batch and store it — the flavor deepens overnight.

Storage & Reheating

Keep leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze them for 2 months. Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of broth to bring back the silky texture.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I make it without wine?

Yes, just replace the wine with more broth or a squeeze of lemon juice. You’ll still get great flavor.

How do I make it thicker or creamier?

Mash some beans and potatoes or blend a small portion of the soup. Stir it back in to get that creamy finish.

Can I use dried beans instead of canned?

Definitely. Cook the dried beans first until soft, then continue with the recipe.

The Best White Bean Soup close-up showing creamy glossy texture in a white bowl

The Best White Bean Soup Recipe Card

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The Best White Bean Soup with carrots, spinach, and olive oil on a white-gray table

The Best White Bean Soup | Amazing Comfort Recipe


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  • Author: kai
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Hearty, creamy, and ready fast, THE BEST WHITE BEAN SOUP brings pantry beans, potatoes, and rosemary together for a cozy, protein rich dinner.


Ingredients

Scale

2 cans (28 oz / 800 g) cannellini or white beans, drained

1 medium onion, diced

1 celery stalk, diced

1 large carrot, diced

12 garlic cloves, diced or pressed

2 medium potatoes, peeled and chunked

1 cup (7 oz / 200 g) frozen spinach, optional

1 Tbsp olive oil, plus more for serving

1 Tbsp tomato paste

1/3 cup (80 ml) white wine

1 sprig rosemary, or 1 Tbsp chopped fresh or 1/2 tsp dried

2 cups (500 ml) vegetable broth or hot water

1/2 tsp paprika, optional

1/2 tsp fine salt, plus more to taste

1/8 tsp black pepper, plus more to taste

crusty bread and parmesan, for serving


Instructions

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

2. Add onion, carrot, and celery. Cook 5 minutes, stirring often.

3. Add garlic, beans, tomato paste, potatoes, rosemary, and paprika. Cook 1 minute.

4. Stir in wine. Simmer until evaporated, about 1 minute.

5. Add spinach, broth, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil.

6. Cover and simmer 15 minutes until potatoes are soft.

7. Remove rosemary sprig. Adjust seasoning.

8. Serve with olive oil, black pepper, crusty bread, and parmesan.

Notes

Cannellini preferred, but navy or Great Northern work.

Soffritto base adds deep flavor.

White wine adds acidity and aroma. Use broth or lemon if skipping wine.

Mash some potatoes and beans to thicken.

Swap kale or chard for spinach. Add earlier for extra time.

Use low salt broth and adjust salt at the end.

Storage: 3 to 4 days in fridge. Freeze up to 2 months.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Soup Recipes
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Italian American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bowl
  • Calories: 350
  • Sugar: 5 g
  • Sodium: 160 mg
  • Fat: 5 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 57 g
  • Fiber: 13 g
  • Protein: 19 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg

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The Best White Bean Soup topped with parmesan and black pepper on a white-gray table

Final Thoughts

A bowl of The Best White Bean Soup is more than a meal. It’s a pause in the day, a reminder that simple food often comforts the most. Serve it with crusty bread, share it with someone you love, and let it fill the room with warmth.
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