Tuscan White Bean and Kale Soup

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This cozy white bean and kale soup can feed an army on a budget with simple vegetables and a few pantry staples. Busy people and beginner cooks adore this quick, healthy vegetable bean soup made for the Instant Pot or the stove!

Why you'll love this recipe

White bean kale soup is a delicious, affordable answer to the dinner dilemma most days of the year. This family-friendly Italian soup is the ultimate comfort food made with simple vegetables, a few pantry staples, and fresh kale.

This flavor-loaded vegetable bean soup is so satisfying and comforting that even carnivores won't miss the meat as they happily devour it. I can't tell you how many readers have contacted me to share this sentiment. Of course, it never hurts to serve this mouthwatering vegetable bean soup with crusty bread or homemade croutons because, well, soup and bread.

You'll be shocked by the quantity and delicious flavors this combination of affordable, everyday ingredients offers. When I say eating healthy on a budget is anything but boring, this soup is proof!

Ingredient notes

• Olive oil - Or preferred cooking oil.
• Onions, carrots, celery, and garlic—building flavor and volume doesn't get easier than with these affordable vegetables.
• Tomatoes - Use canned diced tomatoes for a brothier soup or canned crushed tomatoes for a slightly thicker soup base, as seen in my photos. Fresh tomatoes can be substituted but will also extend cooking time.
• Canned white beans - Any variety of white beans can be used. Canned beans offer convenience, but cooking beans from scratch yields more volume for less money. Both options yield delicious results!
• Vegetable broth - You can use homemade or packaged vegetable broth. I'm a fan of vegetable broth for its flavor, value, and minimal space requirement.
• Seasonings - This soup can be made with packaged or homemade Italian seasoning. The addition of crushed red pepper gives it the perfect flavor kick.
• Salt and pepper - Use as instructed or add to taste.
• Fresh kale—You can use any kale variety or substitute other greens, such as fresh spinach or chard. For this recipe, I used Tuscan kale, also known as Dinosaur kale or Lacinato kale.
• Fresh parsley - This is an optional garnish, but always recommended for a pop of color and herbaceous flavor.

How to make Tuscan white bean soup

This white bean soup is suitable for busy people and beginner cooks because of its simple prep and mostly hands-off cooking using an Instant Pot or stove. Enjoy these step-by-step stove instructions with photos. Both methods are included in the recipe card below.

Saute vegetables in olive oil over medium-high heat until tender. Add tomatoes and beans.

Stir in vegetable broth and seasonings. Increase heat to bring soup to a boil, stirring as needed. Then lower heat, cover, and simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until soup ingredients are fully heated, stirring as needed.

Stir the kale into the soup and continue simmering until it softens to your liking. Serve immediately if desired.

Recipe tips and substitutions

I recommend using low-sodium canned goods, such as tomatoes, beans, and vegetable broth. If these aren't available, consider reducing the salt amount in the recipe.

Cut kale into bite-sized pieces to prevent the long strands that make serving and eating difficult.

This white bean and kale soup will have a tiny kick of heat from the red chili flakes. Consider reducing or omitting these for the family-friendly version. Of course, dial it up a notch if you want extra spicy!

Frequently asked questions

How to freeze

First, allow the soup to cool completely. Transfer to airtight freezer containers and place in the freezer. Once frozen, enjoy within 3 months (or longer if vacuum sealed).

Pro tip: When using zip-top bags, lay the soup bags flat in the freezer for more efficient freezer storage.

More easy soup recipes

Vegetarian soups: Tomato Soup, Chickpea Kale Soup, Minestrone Soup, Cream of Mushroom Soup

Classic soups: Ham and Bean Soup, Cabbage Roll Soup, Zuppa Toscana, Slow Cooker Chicken and Vegetable Soup, Lasagna Soup, Easy Italian Lentil Soup

📖 Recipe