Easy White Kidney Bean and Spinach Soup

Here is an Easy White Kidney Bean and Spinach Soup that is not only good for you, but good-tasting too. Simple and hearty, and so easy to make – even when you are feeling under the weather.

A piping hot bowl of soup makes everything better, right? At least those were my thoughts this past week-end as I felt a little under the weather.

My thoughts also wondered to a Sesame Street story. When my kids were pre-preschoolers, I would read them bedtime stories. My son would be satisfied with one story. My daughter, on the other hand, would keep asking for more. So much so, that I would begin bedtime rituals one hour before her actual bedtime. Still to this day, reading plays an important part in her life.

One of my daughter’s favorite bedtime stories was from a Sesame Street Growing-Up Collection. It was called “It’s no Fun to be Sick“. I haven’t thought about that book in decades! Idle minds really do wander!

So, if you too are feeling a little under the weather, this Easy White Kidney Bean and Spinach Soup is the best kind of comfort food. And you won’t believe how quickly it all comes together.

How to make this White Bean Spinach Soup Recipe:

Most soup preparations will begin the same way: a drizzle of olive oil in a large stock pot set over medium heat, followed by the addition of onions and celery.  Sauté these vegetables together for about 5 minutes.

Once the onions have sweated and have become translucent, add the garlic and cook for barely a minute, stirring frequently.

Then add your vegetable stock, grated potato, bay leaf, and thyme.

Cover and allow to simmer for about 15 minutes.

At this point, add the white kidney beans and allow to simmer for another 5 minutes or so.  Just in case you are wondering, this wonderful legume also goes by the name of cannellini beans. Yes, these are the well loved Tuscan beans!

Nutritionally speaking, they are a great source of fiber, folate, and also a good source of protein.

Stir in the chopped spinach. Allow to simmer for a minute or two and you are done.

Just before serving the soup, I will stir in the fresh parsley and lemon juice.

Of course, I like to sprinkle this Easy White Kidney Bean and Spinach Soup with some grated Pecorino Romano or Parmigiano Reggiano cheese.

Origins of the recipe for White Kidney Bean and Spinach Soup:

The links on this blog are affiliate links, which means I’ll earn a commission if you use those links (there’s no extra charge to you).

The inspiration for this recipe dates back to 1997. The name of the recipe is Chick Pea and Spinach Soup and it comes from my soft cover cookbook, Canadian Living’s Best Vegetarian Dishes. If ever you come across this cookbook in a second hand bookstore, grab it while you can. Elizabeth Baird is, in my humble opinion, one of the best food personalities out there. Needless to say, her recipe is flawless. However, I did make a couple of changes to suit my personnel tastes and, of course, my Italian background.

As much as I love chickpeas, I love cannellini beans more. And so, I replaced the chick peas with these Italian white beans; I grated my potato instead of dicing it; and I played around with the spices. I have also been known to substitute the spinach with kale, escarole or even swiss chard. It is so easy to make this your very own signature soup!

Would you believe that you are 30 minutes away from this good for the soul soup?

Try it!

I guarantee this Easy White Kidney Bean and Spinach Soup will not disappoint.

THANKS SO MUCH for following and being part of the She loves biscotti community where you will find Simple & Tasty Family-Friendly Recipes with an Italian Twist.

Ciao for now,

Maria 🙂

★★★★★ If you have made this Roasted Vegetable Pasta recipe, I would love to hear about it in the comments below and be sure to rate the recipe!

5 from 3 votes

Print

Easy White Kidney Bean and Spinach Soup

A piping hot bowl of soup makes everything better. This Easy White Kidney Bean and Spinach Soup recipe is not only good for you, but good-tasting too.

Course Soup

Cuisine Canadian

Keyword easy soup recipe, spinach and bean soup, spinach bean soup, white kidney bean recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Servings 6 servings

Calories 71 kcal

Author Maria @ She Loves Biscotti

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 large onion diced
• 1 celery rib sliced
• 3-4 garlic cloves minced
• 4 cups vegetable stock
• 1 large potato peeled and grated
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 teaspoon thyme dried
• 1 19-ounce can white kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 10-12 ounces spinach chopped, tough stems removed
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley minced
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice freshly squeezed
• 1-2 tablespoons grated Pecorino Romano or Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. optional
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Drizzle olive oil in a large stockpot set over medium heat.
2. Add the onions and celery; and saute for about 5 minutes or until onions are translucent.
3. Add the garlic and cook for barely a minute, stirring frequently.
4. Add the vegetable stock, grated potato, bay leaf, and thyme.
5. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium, cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
6. Add the white kidney beans and simmer for another 5 minutes.
7. Stir in the spinach and simmer for 1 more minute.
8. Remove from heat and add lemon juice and parsley.
9. Adjust salt and pepper seasonings.
10. If using, garnish with cheese.
11. Serve immediately

Recipe Notes

Please keep in mind that the nutritional information provided below is just a rough estimate and variations can occur depending on the specific ingredients used. 

*recipe lightly adapted from a Canadian Living recipe

Nutrition Facts

Easy White Kidney Bean and Spinach Soup

Amount Per Serving (1 serving)

Calories 71 Calories from Fat 18

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 2g 3%

Sodium 674mg 28%

Potassium 460mg 13%

Total Carbohydrates 10g 3%

Dietary Fiber 2g 8%

Sugars 2g

Protein 2g 4%

Vitamin A 97%

Vitamin C 26%

Calcium 6.7%

Iron 13.9%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

IF YOU ENJOYED THIS WHITE BEAN AND SPINACH SOUP, SAVE IT FOR LATER.

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