Tuscan White Bean Soup (Zuppa di Fagioli)

A rustic, hearty Italian soup made with creamy white beans, vegetables, herbs, and olive oil. Comforting, healthy, and perfect with crusty bread.

Serves: 4–6
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35–45 minutes

🛒 Ingredients

Base

• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

• 1 medium yellow onion, diced

• 2 carrots, diced

• 2 celery stalks, diced

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)

• ½ teaspoon black pepper

Soup

• 2 cans (15 oz each) cannellini beans, drained & rinsed
  (or 3 cups cooked dried beans)

• 4 cups vegetable broth (or chicken broth)

• 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes (optional but traditional in many versions)

• 1 teaspoon dried thyme

• 1 teaspoon dried oregano

• 1 bay leaf

• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Greens

• 2 cups chopped kale or Swiss chard

• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Finish

• ¼ cup grated Parmesan (optional)

• Fresh parsley, chopped

• Extra drizzle of olive oil

🔪 Step-by-Step Instructions

1️⃣ Build the Flavor Base

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

2. Add onion, carrots, and celery.

3. Cook 6–8 minutes until softened.

4. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.

2️⃣ Add Beans & Broth

1. Stir in beans, broth, tomatoes (if using), thyme, oregano, bay leaf, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.

2. Bring to a gentle boil.

3. Reduce to simmer and cook 20–25 minutes.

3️⃣ Blend for Creaminess (Optional but Recommended)

For authentic texture:

• Remove 1–2 cups of soup.

• Blend until smooth.

• Return to pot and stir.

This thickens the soup naturally without cream.

4️⃣ Add Greens

Stir in kale or chard.
Simmer 5–7 minutes until tender.

Add lemon juice to brighten flavor.

Remove bay leaf.

🧄 Taste & Adjust

Add more:

• Salt if needed

• Black pepper

• Olive oil drizzle

🍞 Serve With

• Toasted rustic bread rubbed with garlic

• Grated Parmesan

• Extra olive oil on top

• Fresh parsley

⭐ Pro Tips

✔ Use high-quality olive oil — it makes a difference
✔ Let soup rest 15 minutes before serving for deeper flavor
✔ It tastes even better the next day
✔ Add a Parmesan rind while simmering for richer flavor

🥓 Optional Add-Ins

Hearty Version:

• ½ lb Italian sausage (brown before vegetables)

Pancetta Version:

• 3 oz diced pancetta sautéed with onions

Vegan Version:

• Use vegetable broth

• Skip Parmesan

• Add nutritional yeast for depth

🫘 Using Dried Beans Instead

1. Soak 1½ cups dried cannellini beans overnight.

2. Drain and simmer in fresh water 60–90 minutes until tender.

3. Use in recipe as directed.