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Easy • Soups

Cozy White Bean & Escarole Soup

A nourishing and comforting soup with tender white beans and slightly bitter escarole.

Prep
10 min
Cook
25 min
Servings
6
Level
Easy
Cozy White Bean & Escarole Soup

When you need a hug in a bowl, look no further than this Cozy White Bean & Escarole Soup. It’s a wonderfully simple yet deeply satisfying soup, with tender cannellini beans and the lovely slight bitterness of escarole. Perfect for a chilly evening or a light, healthy meal anytime.

Ingredients

Yield: 6 servings

Main

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, peeled and diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 6 cups vegetable broth
  • 2 (15 oz) cans cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 large head escarole, chopped
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Crusty bread for serving (optional)

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 8-10 minutes.

  2. Step 2

    Stir in the minced garlic and dried thyme, cook for another minute until fragrant.

  3. Step 3

    Pour in the vegetable broth and add the rinsed cannellini beans. Bring the soup to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and let it cook for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

  4. Step 4

    Stir in the chopped escarole. Cook for another 5 minutes, or until the escarole is wilted and tender-crisp. Season generously with salt and black pepper to taste.

  5. Step 5

    Serve hot, perhaps with a drizzle of good extra virgin olive oil and a slice of crusty bread for dipping.

Tips

  • For a heartier soup, add cooked Italian sausage or a Parmesan rind while simmering for extra depth of flavor.
  • If you can't find escarole, kale or even baby spinach can be substituted, though the flavor profile will be slightly different.
  • Partially mash some of the beans against the side of the pot to thicken the soup slightly.

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