Try Our Cozy Hearty Bean Soup Recipe – Perfect for Cold Days

Comfort and warmth merge perfectly in this delightful bean soup recipe that warms souls on chilly evenings.

Packed with robust flavors and nutritious ingredients, this hearty bean soup brings depth to your dinner table.

Rich legumes simmer alongside aromatic vegetables, creating a delectable blend of textures and tastes.

Each spoonful carries a symphony of carefully selected herbs and spices that dance across your palate.

The soup rustic charm speaks to traditional cooking methods passed down through generations.

Tender beans melt into a velvety broth, promising a satisfying meal that nourishes both body and spirit.

You’ll find this recipe becomes an instant favorite for cozy nights and hungry appetites.

Why Hearty Bean Soup Is A Go-To Favorite

• Packed with protein-rich beans and colorful vegetables, this soup delivers a powerful nutritional punch that supports overall wellness and keeps you feeling satisfied.
• Swap ingredients effortlessly by using different beans, herbs, or protein sources, making this recipe wonderfully adaptable to personal tastes and dietary preferences.
• Requiring just one pot and basic chopping skills, this recipe transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality meal that impresses without complicated techniques.
• Creamy, hearty, and warming, this soup provides ultimate comfort food experience that feels like a cozy hug, perfect for lifting spirits and satisfying hunger.

What You’ll Find In Hearty Bean Soup

• Beans: A hearty protein source that forms the base of this comforting soup.
• Chicken Broth: Provides a rich and flavorful liquid foundation for the soup.
• Pearl Couscous: Adds a delightful texture and helps make the soup more filling.

• Onion, Garlic, Carrots: These vegetables create a flavor-packed base and add depth to the soup.
• Parsley: Brings a fresh, bright herb note to finish the dish.

• Black Pepper, Paprika, Italian Seasoning: Spices that enhance the overall flavor profile of the soup.
• Tomato Paste: Adds a rich, slightly tangy undertone to the broth.
• Bay Leaf: Contributes a subtle, earthy background flavor.
• Parmesan Cheese: Provides a salty, umami finish to the soup.
• Olive Oil: Used for sautéing the vegetables and building the soup's foundation.

Stepwise Instructions For Hearty Bean Soup

Step 1: Prepare Aromatic Vegetables

Finely chop onions and carrots into small, uniform pieces.

Mince garlic cloves and chop fresh parsley.

Having ingredients prepped ensures smooth cooking and helps distribute flavors evenly.

Step 2: Create Creamy Bean Base

• Cannellini beans
• Chicken broth

Blend until smooth and silky.

This technique transforms the soup’s texture, creating a luxurious, velvety consistency.

Step 3: Develop Flavor Foundation

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.

Toss in chopped onions, minced garlic, and diced carrots.

Sauté for approximately 3 minutes until vegetables become tender and release their fragrant aroma.

Step 4: Build Depth with Seasonings

• Black pepper
• Paprika
• Italian seasoning
• Tomato paste

Stir thoroughly to distribute spices and create a rich flavor profile.

Step 5: Combine Liquid Components

• Blended bean mixture
• Remaining whole cannellini beans
• Chicken broth
• Bay leaf

Mix ingredients carefully to ensure even distribution.

Step 6: Cook Couscous

Add pearl couscous to the soup.

Bring mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce heat.

Cover pot and simmer for 15 minutes, allowing couscous to absorb flavors and become tender.

Step 7: Finish with Fresh Touches

Remove pot from heat.

• Chopped parsley
• Grated Parmesan cheese

Stir gently and taste.

Adjust seasoning with additional black pepper if desired.

Step 8: Serve and Savor

Ladle soup into warm bowls.

Garnish with extra parsley for a pop of color and freshness.

Enjoy immediately while piping hot.

Cooking Tips For Hearty Bean Soup

• Blend one can of beans with broth to create a velvety smooth texture that transforms the soup's consistency without adding extra cream.
• Sauté aromatics like onions, garlic, and carrots before adding other ingredients to unlock deeper, more complex taste profiles that elevate the entire dish.
• Cook couscous separately if you plan to store leftovers, preventing it from becoming soggy and maintaining perfect texture when reheating.
• Swap chicken broth with vegetable broth and add diced tofu or plant-based protein to make this recipe completely vegetarian-friendly.
• Use gluten-free couscous or quinoa for those with gluten sensitivities, ensuring everyone can enjoy this hearty and nutritious soup.

Store And Reheat Hearty Bean Soup Effectively

• Store the soup in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth and maintain flavor quality.
• Transfer cooled soup to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for 2-3 months maximum.
• Pour soup into a microwave-safe bowl. Cover loosely with a microwave-safe lid or paper towel. Heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warm. Add a splash of chicken broth if the soup seems too thick.
• Pour soup into a saucepan. Warm over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a little chicken broth or water to restore original consistency. Heat until steaming and reaching 165°F for food safety.

Tasty Sides For Hearty Bean Soup

• Pair Rustic Red Wine: Choose a medium-bodied Italian red like Chianti or Sangiovese that complements the hearty bean soup's earthy flavors and cuts through its richness.
• Elevate with Crusty Bread: Select a rustic sourdough or whole grain bread to soak up the creamy broth, adding textural contrast and enhancing the soup's warmth.
• Match with Fresh Salad: Create a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the soup's heartiness, introducing a bright, zesty element that refreshes the palate.
• Complement with Herbed Goat Cheese: Serve a small plate of soft goat cheese sprinkled with fresh herbs, providing a tangy, creamy accompaniment that echoes the soup's texture and herbal notes.

Recipe Spins On Hearty Bean Soup

• Vegetarian Bean Soup: Replace chicken broth with vegetable broth and omit Parmesan cheese for a completely plant-based version. Perfect for those avoiding meat products.
• Gluten-Free Bean Soup: Swap pearl couscous with quinoa or rice to make the recipe suitable for gluten-sensitive individuals. Ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Low-Sodium Bean Soup: Use low-sodium chicken broth and eliminate added salt. Select fresh herbs instead of pre-mixed seasonings to control sodium content while maintaining robust flavor.
• Mediterranean-Style Bean Soup: Add diced zucchini, red bell peppers, and replace Italian seasoning with oregano and thyme. Finish with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil for an authentic Mediterranean touch.

FAQs

• Why blend one can of beans?

Blending a can of beans with chicken broth creates a creamy base that thickens the soup naturally without using flour or cream. This technique adds richness and smooth texture to the entire dish.

• Can I use different types of beans?

Absolutely! While the recipe uses cannellini beans, you can substitute with great northern beans, navy beans, or even chickpeas. Just ensure they’re similar in size and texture for consistent cooking.

• Is pearl couscous necessary for this recipe?

Pearl couscous adds wonderful texture and heartiness to the soup, but if unavailable, you can replace it with small pasta like orzo or broken-up small pasta shells. Each alternative will slightly change the soup’s consistency.

• How can I make this soup more protein-rich?

Consider adding diced chicken, cooked ground turkey, or even crumbled sausage during the sautéing stage. These protein additions will boost the nutritional value and make the soup more filling without changing its fundamental flavor profile.

Hearty Bean Soup Recipe

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4.6 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Warm comfort arrives with this hearty bean soup recipe, blending rustic ingredients into a soul-satisfying meal. Rich Mediterranean flavors and tender legumes promise a delightful dining experience you’ll savor down to the last spoonful.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 3 cans (15 ounces/400 g each) cannellini beans, drained and divided
• 5 cups chicken broth, divided
• 4 ounces pearl couscous

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 yellow onion, finely chopped
• 6 cloves minced garlic
• 2 large carrots, finely chopped
• 1 bay leaf

Seasonings and Finishing Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1 tablespoon double-concentrated tomato paste
• 2 ounces grated Parmesan
• 2 tablespoons chopped parsley, with extra for garnish

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Instructions

1. Prepare ingredients by finely chopping onions, carrots, and mincing garlic. Roughly chop fresh parsley for garnishing.
2. Create a creamy base by blending one can of cannellini beans with chicken broth until achieving a smooth, silky texture.
3. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat (around 350°F). Sauté onions, garlic, and carrots for 3-4 minutes until vegetables become translucent and release aromatic flavors.
4. Introduce robust seasonings by stirring in black pepper, paprika, Italian seasoning, and tomato paste, which will enhance the soup’s overall depth and color profile.
5. Incorporate remaining whole beans, additional chicken broth, and bay leaf into the pot. Gently mix to distribute ingredients evenly.
6. Add pearl couscous and increase heat to bring mixture to a rolling boil. Immediately reduce heat, cover pot, and simmer for 12-15 minutes until couscous becomes tender.
7. Remove from heat and stir in fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional black pepper if needed.
8. Ladle soup into serving bowls, garnish with extra parsley, and serve immediately while piping hot for optimal flavor and texture.

Notes

• Blending a portion of beans creates a luxurious, velvety texture without adding heavy cream, making the soup feel indulgent yet lighter.
• Use vegetable broth and skip Parmesan to transform this into a completely plant-based dish that’s equally satisfying and protein-packed.
• Customize heat levels by adding red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce for those craving extra warmth and spice in their soup.
• Store leftover soup in airtight containers for up to 4 days, knowing the flavors will continue developing and becoming more rich and complex overnight.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 10 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 5 mg