Description
This Creamy Tomato and White Bean Soup is the ultimate comfort meal. It’s rich, velvety, and packed with flavor in every spoonful.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 4 strips thick-cut bacon, diced
- 1/2 yellow onion, minced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 16 ounces whole tomatoes, crushed
- 2 cans cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
- 4 cups chicken stock
- 1 Parmesan rind
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
- 3 ounces baby spinach
- Olive oil, for drizzling
Instructions
- Crisp the diced bacon in a large pot over medium heat. Once crisp, remove the bacon and leave about 2 tablespoons of the bacon fat in the pot.
- Sauté the onions and garlic for about 2 minutes, until fragrant.
- Stir in the tomato paste, dried basil, oregano, thyme, crushed red pepper, salt, and black pepper. Toast the tomato paste for 2–3 minutes to deepen the flavor.
- Add the crushed tomatoes and sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Stir well.
- Add the cannellini beans, chicken stock, Parmesan rind, and bay leaf. Turn up the heat to bring to a near boil, then reduce to low and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes.
- Remove the bay leaf and Parmesan rind. Stir in the heavy cream and simmer for another 5 minutes.
- Mix in the Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
- Add the spinach and let it wilt for 1–2 minutes.
- Taste for salt.
- Serve hot, drizzled with olive oil and topped with more cheese and crispy bacon.
- ENJOY!
Notes
- While the bacon is crisping, prep the other ingredients.
- Toasting the tomato paste adds a rich, deep flavor to the base. Don’t skip this step.
- Adjust the amount of crushed red pepper to your liking. Omit, if desired.
- The Parmesan rind infuses the broth with incredible umami flavor. Be sure to remove it before serving.
- Always add the spinach at the end to keep it bright and fresh.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Meal Prep
- Method: Easy
- Cuisine: American