Estimated reading time: 9 minutes
Italian white bean soup is made with a golden chicken broth and packed with kidney beans, Acini de Pepe, cherry tomatoes, fresh herbs, and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese.
Nothing screams fall and winter weather other than a hot bowl of soup.
I’m a soup lover and sometimes want to make a quick soup pot without fuss.
Let me show you how easy this white bean soup recipe is, and I hope you try it.
Pasta Variations For White Bean Soup
Some of our favorite brands of pasta variations for my white bean soup are listed below.
You will find the Acini di Pepe at any Canadian grocery store for much less than what you’ll find on Amazon Canada.
The Molisana pasta is a great buy on Amazon, or if you prefer, you can use broken pasta.
- La Molisana Capellini Spezzati
- De Cecco Pasta Acini Di Pepe Pasta
- La Molisana Semi Di Melone
- Primo Acini di Pepe Pasta
If I had to choose from the list, I’d start with Acini Di Pepe, Capellini, and Semi Di Melone.
To make the white bean soup recipe, use whatever pasta you prefer as long as it is small.
The idea is to find a bite-sized pasta that cooks quickly.
Another delicious variation is using Italian Arborio rice or any rice product instead of pasta.
When using Arborio rice, use only 1/4 cup as it thickens as it would for risotto.
You want to ensure it stays a soup and does not turn into a soupy risotto.
Types Of Beans For White Bean Soup
Cannellini Beans are also called White Kidney Beans because they are nutty in flavor and soft textured.
For this recipe, I used white kidney beans from the can, which are softer than red.
Typically, we hydrate dry beans using a crockpot but keep cans on hand for quick recipes.
Beans are inexpensive either way, but you’ll save more buying dry over a can.
Other beans you can use for this recipe would be Navy, Great Northern, or Lima beans.
This fantastic White Bean Cheat sheet from Herbivores Kitchen explains everything.
Added Protein Options
If you want to add more protein to the white bean soup, many options exist.
- Chopped cooked ham
- Cooked chicken chunks or shreds
- Seasoned and cooked ground chicken mince.
- Mini meatballs
How To Make Italian White Bean Soup
If you don’t have fresh herbs, don’t panic, as you can still make this white bean soup recipe.
The spring onion can be replaced with 1/2 cup of white, red, or yellow onion chopped small.
Add a chopped carrot to the soup, including more veggies, fresh kale, Swiss chard, escarole, or spinach.
From start to finish, this white bean soup should take no longer than 25 minutes and will serve two to three adults.
White Bean Soup Ingredients
- 6 cups cold water or premade or homemade chicken broth
- 2 chicken bouillon cubes or sachets (if using cold water)
- 3/4 cup dry Acini di Pepe pasta
- 1 rib of celery chopped small
- 1 tsp fresh black pepper
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 2 fresh basil leaves chopped
- 1 garlic clove minced fine
- 1 fresh spring onion chopped
- 3/4 cup or 8 sliced cherry tomatoes
- 400ml white kidney or cannellini beans strained and rinsed.
- Add salt to your preference. *You may not need any at all.
- Top each bowl with Freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese.
Instructions
- Add 6 cups of cold water and two chicken bouillon cubes or sachets in a medium-sized pot. Or Add 6 cups of chicken broth in place of the water and bouillon cubes.
- Add dry Acini di pepe, boil for 2 minutes, and then reduce the heat to medium.
- Add the remaining ingredients with the chopped fresh herbs, black pepper, minced garlic, spring onion, and chopped celery.
- Pour in the can 400ml of white kidney or cannellini beans (or dry that has been rehydrated).
- Gently add the cherry tomatoes and stir the soup to combine.
- Test for flavor and add salt as desired, if needed.
- Cook on medium heat for 10 minutes and serve each bowl of white bean soup with grated Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese.
Spooky Halloween Oreo Rice Krispies Treats
If you are in a pinch for a Halloween Treat to bring to a kids Halloween party then this is the recipe you want. In only 10 minutes you can have this Spooky Oreo Rice Krispies Treat done and ready to transport. By the time you get to your destination or when the guests arrive your treats will be cooled and ready to cut.
Ingredients
- 6 cups of Rice Krispies Cereal
- 4 tablespoons Butter
- 6 cups of mini marshmallows
- 5 to 7 drops orange food colouring
- 2 cups of crushed Oreo cookies with chunks
Instructions
- In a pot add the butter and marshmallows and stir until melted and a gorgeous silky marshmallow sauce is created.
- Add in the cereal and mix quickly
- Add in the Oreo cookies and food colouring and blend in gently until everything is coated
- Grease a 9x13x2 inch baking pan and quickly pour the mixture in and spread with a buttered spatula, parchment paper or wear kitchen gloves to press tightly into the pan making sure to get all the edges.
- Let cool completely at room temperature, cut into 24 small squares and serve to the Halloween goblins.
Choose Homemade Soup Recipes
Making homemade soup saves you money, and the ingredients are fresh.
You won’t find any fillers or ingredients that you don’t understand.
The great thing about soup is that it’s easy to freeze or can for quick meals if you batch cook.
I know you’ll enjoy a hot bowl of my Italian White Bean Soup from my home to yours.
Let me know in the comments what you thought about this soup recipe.
Thanks for stopping by,
Mr. CBB