Name: Hearty Tuscan White Bean Soup Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Tuscan
Ingredients: 1 Small Onion, diced; 2 Medium Shallots, chopped; 4 Cloves Garlic, mashed; 2 Carrots, chopped into coins; 2 Celery Stalks, diced; 3 Cups Fresh Spinach; 1/4 Cup Olive Oil (extra virgin); 3 (15 Ounce) Cans Cannellini Beans, drained and rinsed; 2 Bay Leaves; 1 Tablespoon Italian Seasoning; 1/2 Teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes; 5-6 Cups Vegetable Broth; 1/2 Teaspoon Sea Salt; 1/4 Teaspoon Ground Black Pepper

If you’re craving something soul-warming and packed with flavor, this Hearty Tuscan White Bean Soup Recipe is an absolute game-changer. I absolutely love how this turns out every single time — it’s thick, comforting, and bursting with all those classic Tuscan flavors that feel like a cozy hug in a bowl. Trust me, once you try this recipe, it’ll quickly become a staple in your kitchen for cold days, cozy dinners, or anytime you need a little extra comfort food magic.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Rich, Comforting Texture: Blending part of the soup creates that lovely creamy body without any cream—perfect if you want healthy but hearty.
Super Simple Ingredients: Pantry staples like cannellini beans and Italian seasoning come together effortlessly, making it perfect for a quick meal.
Vegan & Nourishing: This soup is plant-based, loaded with veggies and fiber, so it’s as good for your body as it is for your taste buds.
Perfect for Meal Prep: It stores beautifully in the fridge or freezer, so you can enjoy it any time you need a quick, satisfying meal.

The image shows a bowl filled with a light brown broth soup containing several white beans scattered throughout. There are dark green spinach leaves and small carrot slices floating on top, with some black pepper and red chili flakes sprinkled over the surface. The soup looks warm with some oil droplets shining on the broth. The bowl is a brown ceramic one, placed on a white marbled surface with a silver spoon beside it. Around the bowl, there are pieces of crusty cream-colored bread and scattered herbs. A partial view of another bowl with the same soup and a small white dish with red chili flakes are also visible nearby. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Hearty Tuscan White Bean Soup, Tuscan White Bean Soup, Italian Bean Soup, Healthy White Bean Soup, Comforting Tuscan Soup

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this soup lies in its simple yet flavorful ingredients. Each one adds a layer of depth—from the sweetness of carrots to the creaminess of cannellini beans. When you shop, I recommend grabbing the freshest veggies and good quality extra virgin olive oil—it really makes a difference here.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of extra virgin olive oil, a small peeled onion, two medium shallots with papery skins, four whole garlic cloves, two sliced carrots cut into coins, two diced celery stalks, a large white ceramic bowl of drained white cannellini beans, two fresh green bay leaves, a small white bowl of dried Italian seasoning herbs, a small white bowl of red pepper flakes, a large white ceramic bowl of fresh vibrant green spinach leaves, a small white bowl of coarse sea salt, and a small white bowl of ground black pepper all arranged symmetrically placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p awthu7i m7354615311229779997 - Hearty Tuscan White Bean Soup, Tuscan White Bean Soup, Italian Bean Soup, Healthy White Bean Soup, Comforting Tuscan Soup

Extra Virgin Olive Oil: High quality makes the sautéed veggies pop with flavor and adds a subtle fruitiness.
Small Onion: Adds a natural sweetness and depth to the base of the soup.
Shallots: Milder and sweeter than onions, they bring a lovely nuance.
Garlic: Mashed for maximum flavor release—don’t be shy with it!
Carrots: Chopped into coins for even cooking and a touch of natural sweetness.
Celery Stalks: Adds that classic aromatic foundation you’ll recognize in Tuscan cooking.
Cannellini Beans: Drained and rinsed to keep things creamy yet light.
Bay Leaves: Infuses subtle earthy undertones that round out the flavor.
Italian Seasoning: A blend that delivers the perfect balance of herbs without overpowering.
Red Pepper Flakes: Just a little spark to awaken your taste buds.
Vegetable Broth: The soul of the soup—make it homemade or store-bought, just rich and flavorful.
Sea Salt: To taste; enhances all the flavors naturally.
Ground Black Pepper: Freshly ground if possible—it brightens things up.
Fresh Spinach: Stirred in at the end for a pop of vibrant color and nutrition.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love that this Hearty Tuscan White Bean Soup Recipe is so flexible, making it easy to swap or add ingredients depending on what you have on hand or your mood. You’ll find it super forgiving, so don’t hesitate to make it your own!

With Sausage: I sometimes add Italian sausage for a meaty twist—it’s a hit when my family wants something extra hearty.
Spicy Kick: Turn up the red pepper flakes or add a dash of smoked paprika to heat things up.
Greens Swap: Swap spinach for kale or Swiss chard for more texture and a slightly different flavor profile.
Beans Variety: While cannellini beans are classic, butter beans or great northern beans work beautifully too.

How to Make Hearty Tuscan White Bean Soup Recipe

Step 1: Sauté Your Aromatics

Start by heating your olive oil in a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium-low heat. Add the diced onion, chopped shallots, and mashed garlic, stirring them around for about 3-4 minutes. You want your onion translucent and everything fragrant—the kitchen smells amazing at this point. Keep the heat gentle to avoid browning; this step builds a flavorful base for the whole soup.

Step 2: Add the Veggies

Next, toss in your chopped carrots and diced celery. I like to cut the carrots into coins because they cook evenly and add a subtle sweetness. Let everything sauté together for another 7 to 10 minutes. This slow, patient cooking allows those vegetal flavors to meld and develop, which makes all the difference in the depth of flavor.

Step 3: Add Beans and Seasonings

Rinse and drain your cannellini beans (this removes excess sodium and gives a cleaner flavor). Add them to the pot along with bay leaves, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Pour in the vegetable broth, then season with sea salt and black pepper. Give everything a good stir to combine.

Step 4: Simmer and Blend

Bring the soup to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to low, letting it simmer gently for 15 minutes. This melds the flavors and softens the veggies perfectly. After simmering, remove the bay leaves (don’t forget this step!). Then, ladle out about two cups of the soup into a high-speed blender. Blend until thick and creamy—this is the secret to that luscious texture without any cream.

Step 5: Finish with Spinach

Pour the blended soup back into the pot and stir to combine. Finally, add your fresh spinach and stir it in just until it wilts—this only takes a minute. I love how the vibrant green lifts the whole dish visually and nutritionally.

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Pro Tips for Making Hearty Tuscan White Bean Soup Recipe

Take Your Time Sautéing: Don’t rush the veggies—sautéing slowly helps develop that deep, layered flavor you crave.
Blend Partially for Texture: Blending only some of the soup keeps it creamy but still chunky enough for a satisfying bite.
Adjust the Spice Level: Start with less red pepper flakes and add more gradually to suit your taste buds.
Don’t Forget to Remove Bay Leaves: Missing this step can leave a bitter edge, so it’s worth double-checking before serving.

How to Serve Hearty Tuscan White Bean Soup Recipe

A bowl of soup with light golden broth fills the bowl, showing two layers of ingredients: the first layer has white beans and bright orange carrot slices, while the second layer includes dark green leafy herbs and some small herbs sprinkled on top. The bowl is brown and sits on a wooden board with pieces of white bread beside it. A shiny silver spoon rests inside the bowl. Behind the bowl, a clear glass of light brown drink and a large beige pot can be seen, all placed on a white marbled surface with a beige cloth underneath. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Hearty Tuscan White Bean Soup, Tuscan White Bean Soup, Italian Bean Soup, Healthy White Bean Soup, Comforting Tuscan Soup

Garnishes

I’m a big fan of topping this soup with fresh chopped parsley or a sprinkle of cracked black pepper for a little freshness and visual pop. Sometimes I add a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil or a few shavings of vegan Parmesan for an indulgent touch. It really heightens that rustic Italian vibe.

Side Dishes

This soup pairs beautifully with crusty bread—think thick slices of sourdough or a warm baguette for dunking. If you’re feeling fancy, a simple green salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette complements the richness perfectly, balancing the meal.

Creative Ways to Present

If you’re making this for a special occasion, serve it in rustic bowls with a side of rosemary focaccia and a bright wedge of lemon on the side—your guests will be impressed by the charm and cozy elegance. I once served this at a small dinner party, topped with microgreens and a sprinkle of chili oil, and everyone went crazy for it!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually keep leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 4 days. This soup tastes even better the next day as the flavors have more time to mingle – plus it’s super convenient for busy weekdays.

Freezing

Freezing this soup works wonderfully. Just let it cool completely, then portion it in freezer-safe containers. When you’re ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently on the stove to keep the texture and flavors intact.

Reheating

I find reheating on the stovetop over medium-low heat is best to avoid overcooking the spinach or breaking down the beans too much. Stir occasionally and add a splash of broth or water if it feels too thick.

FAQs

Can I use dried beans instead of canned in this Hearty Tuscan White Bean Soup Recipe?

Absolutely! If using dried beans, soak them overnight and cook them until tender before adding to the soup. This adds a little extra prep time but results in an even creamier, fresher-tasting soup. Just remember to adjust the cooking times accordingly.
Is this Hearty Tuscan White Bean Soup Recipe suitable for a vegan diet?

Yes! This recipe is naturally vegan, relying on vegetables, beans, and herbs for flavor. Just make sure your vegetable broth is vegan-friendly, and avoid adding any cheese or animal products if you want to keep it fully vegan.
Can I make this soup in a slow cooker?

You can! Start by sautéing the aromatics in a pan and then transfer everything to your slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Add the spinach towards the end to keep it fresh and vibrant.
How thick should the soup be after blending?

The soup should be creamy but still pourable—think rich and slightly chunky. If it’s too thick after blending, simply stir in a bit more vegetable broth until you reach your preferred consistency.

Final Thoughts

This Hearty Tuscan White Bean Soup Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it’s simple, nourishing, and endlessly satisfying. I love sharing it with friends because it’s both comforting and elegant in its rustic simplicity. Give it a try—you’ll see how easy it is to whip up something so wholesome that feels like it’s been simmering all day, even when it hasn’t. Cozy up with a bowl, and I promise, you won’t be disappointed!