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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Prepare ingredients by finely chopping onions, carrots, and mincing garlic. Roughly chop fresh parsley for garnishing.
- Create a creamy base by blending one can of cannellini beans with chicken broth until achieving a smooth, silky texture.
- 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.
- 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.
- Incorporate remaining whole beans, additional chicken broth, and bay leaf into the pot. Gently mix to distribute ingredients evenly.
- 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.
- Remove from heat and stir in fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional black pepper if needed.
- 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