Delicious One-Pot Tuscan White Bean Soup with Swiss Chard

This One-Pot Tuscan White Bean Soup with Swiss Chard is a must make! Packs in 4 veggies with protein and fiber, this soup recipe is incredibly flavorful and easy to make.

As the cooler weather settles in, there’s nothing quite like a steaming bowl of homemade soup to bring comfort to your table. This Tuscan white bean soup recipe is simple yet incredibly flavorful, and it’s packed with nourishing ingredients that make it both hearty and healthy. Made with creamy cannellini beans, aromatic vegetables, and fresh herbs, this soup captures the essence of Italian cooking with each bite. Not to mention, the addition of parmesan rind gives it that authentic depth of flavor found in classic Tuscan kitchens. Best of all, it’s versatile, easy to make, and pairs perfectly with a slice of toasted bread for dipping.

Why You’ll Love This Tuscan White Bean Soup:

This Tuscan white bean soup is a fantastic recipe to have on hand for several reasons:

1. Easy to Prepare: With minimal prep and basic ingredients, it’s perfect for both beginner cooks and seasoned home chefs.
2. Nutrient-Packed: Loaded with vegetables, protein-rich beans, and leafy greens, it’s a balanced meal that’s healthy and satisfying.
3. Rich, Cozy Flavors: The combination of beans, fresh herbs, garlic, and parmesan rind creates a savory depth that’s comforting and delicious.
4. Customizable: Use chicken broth for a richer flavor or veggie broth for a vegetarian option, and adjust seasonings to your taste.

Ready to dive in? Here’s a step-by-step guide to making your own Tuscan white bean soup.

What ingredients you need for White Bean Soup with Swiss Chard:

• Olive oil – Olive oil is the base for sautéing the vegetables and infuses the soup with a rich, fruity flavor. 
• White onion – Onion is a foundational ingredient in many soups and stews because of its sweet, savory flavor.
• Celery – Celery adds a mild bitterness that balances the sweetness of the carrots and onions, giving the soup complexity. 
• Carrot – Carrots add a natural sweetness and a pop of color to the soup. When sautéed, they contribute to the overall depth of flavor and balance the savory elements.
• Garlic cloves – Garlic provides a pungent, earthy flavor that is characteristic of Tuscan and Italian cooking. 
• Bay leaves – Bay leaves are added to the soup while it simmers, imparting a subtle, herbal note.
• Dried rosemary – Rosemary is a robust herb with a piney, woodsy flavor that pairs beautifully with beans. 
• Thyme leaves – Thyme provides a delicate, earthy flavor that complements the rosemary.
• White cannellini beans – Cannellini beans are creamy, mild, and hearty, making them the ideal base for this soup.
• Tomato sauce – Tomato sauce adds acidity and a slight sweetness that balances the other flavors.
• Chicken broth or veggie broth – Broth is the soup’s liquid base, infusing the beans and vegetables with a savory depth. 
• Swiss chard – Swiss chard adds a beautiful green color and a slightly bitter, earthy taste that balances the richness of the beans and broth. 
• Balsamic vinegar – Balsamic vinegar is stirred in at the end, adding a subtle acidity that brightens the soup and enhances the overall flavor.
• Parmesan cheese + rind – Adding a parmesan rind while simmering gives the soup a savory, umami depth. It’s an Italian cooking trick that enhances flavor without needing extra salt.

How to Make Tuscan White Bean Soup:

Step 1: Sauté the Vegetables

Start by heating 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the diced onion, celery, and carrot. Sauté for about 5 minutes, or until the vegetables start to become translucent, stirring often. Add the minced garlic, half of the dried rosemary, and half of the thyme leaves, along with the bay leaves. Cook for an additional 3 minutes, allowing the garlic and herbs to become fragrant and infuse the vegetables with flavor.

Step 2: Add the Cannellini Beans

Once your vegetables are soft and aromatic, it’s time to add in the cannellini beans. Cannellini beans are creamy and have a mild flavor, making them perfect for soups. Add the beans to the pot and give them a quick stir, allowing them to absorb the flavors for about a minute.

Step 3: Incorporate Tomato Sauce and Broth

Next, pour in the tomato sauce, stirring it into the vegetable and bean mixture until everything is well-coated. This will give your soup a lovely color and a hint of acidity. Then, add the broth of your choice—chicken broth for added richness or veggie broth for a vegetarian option. Don’t forget the parmesan rind! Adding a parmesan rind to simmering soups is an old Italian trick that infuses the broth with a subtle, savory flavor that’s hard to replicate.

Step 4: Simmer the Soup

Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low, allowing it to simmer for about 30 minutes. During this time, the flavors will meld together, and the soup will begin to thicken. Stir occasionally, checking that the vegetables are becoming tender and the beans are absorbing the broth.

Step 5: Prepare the Swiss Chard

While the soup simmers, prepare your Swiss chard. Cut off the tough ends of the stems, rinse the leaves thoroughly, and chop them into small pieces. Swiss chard adds a beautiful splash of color to the soup and boosts its nutrient content with vitamins A, C, and K.

Step 6: Add the Greens

After the soup has simmered for about 30 minutes, it’s time to add the Swiss chard. Stir the chopped greens into the soup, allowing them to cook over low heat for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, or until they’re tender and wilted.

Step 7: Final Touches

Once the chard has wilted, remove the bay leaves and parmesan rind from the soup and discard them. Add a teaspoon of balsamic vinegar to the pot, stirring to incorporate. This small touch of balsamic brightens the flavors, adding a slight tangy contrast that complements the rich, earthy taste of the soup.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

Ladle the soup into bowls and top each serving with freshly grated parmesan cheese. Serve with a side of toasted bread or your favorite crackers for the perfect finish. This soup is best enjoyed warm and will quickly become a staple for chilly evenings.

Tips for the Perfect Tuscan White Bean Soup:

1. Choose Quality Ingredients: With simple recipes like this one, quality ingredients make a difference. Try to use fresh herbs, good olive oil, and a quality parmesan cheese for the best flavor.
2. Blending Option: If you prefer a thicker texture, blend a portion of the soup before adding the Swiss chard. Use an immersion blender or a regular blender to blend about half the soup, then combine it back into the pot.
3. Leftovers and Storage: This soup stores well in the refrigerator for up to 5 days and can be frozen for up to 3 months. Just make sure to cool it completely before storing, and reheat over low heat to maintain its creamy consistency.
4. Variations: You can add other vegetables like zucchini or diced tomatoes to the soup, or swap out the Swiss chard for spinach or kale. For extra protein, add cooked sausage or shredded rotisserie chicken.

Health Benefits of Tuscan White Bean Soup:

This Tuscan white bean soup is packed with nutrition:

• Cannellini Beans: A fantastic source of plant-based protein and fiber, helping to keep you full and promoting digestive health.
• Swiss Chard: Rich in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as antioxidants that support immune health.
• Garlic and Herbs: Both garlic and herbs like rosemary and thyme contain antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that may benefit overall wellness.
• Olive Oil: Heart-healthy fats in olive oil make this soup not only flavorful but also beneficial for cardiovascular health.

Serving Suggestions:

Pair this Tuscan white bean soup with a slice of toasted rustic bread rubbed with a clove of garlic for an extra layer of flavor. You can also add a green side salad with a light vinaigrette to complete the meal. For an indulgent twist, serve with homemade croutons or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes if you like a bit of heat.

Why this recipe is an any night winner:

Tuscan white bean soup is a fantastic recipe for busy weeknights. With just a few minutes of prep and a 30-minute simmer, it’s a quick, wholesome meal you can prepare in under an hour. Plus, it’s a one-pot dish, meaning less cleanup and more time to relax.

In summary, this Tuscan white bean soup brings the warmth and flavors of Italy to your kitchen. Simple, nourishing, and deeply flavorful, it’s the perfect soup for chilly nights, a crowd-pleasing starter for gatherings, or even a lunch meal-prep option. Whether you’re an experienced cook or a kitchen novice, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite. Give it a try, and enjoy the comforting taste of Tuscany right at home!

A few other delicious soup recipes to try:

EASY One-Pot Vegetable Rice Soup (gluten-free)

Roasted Feta and Butternut Squash Soup

The BEST Healthier French Onion Soup Recipe

Nanna’s Homemade Chicken Soup Recipe!