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    Home » Soups » White Kidney Bean and Spinach Soup

    White Kidney Bean and Spinach Soup

    January 29, 2017 , Updated October 23, 2020 Maria 46 Comments

    Jump to Recipe
    A big bowl of 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 big bowl of Easy White Kidney Bean and Spinach Soup.

    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 White Kidney Beans Recipe is the best kind of comfort food. If you are looking for some healthy soup inspiration, be sure to consult this page on Soup Recipes.

    In the meanwhile, you won’t believe how quickly this spinach and bean soup comes together.

    Minced onions ready to be sauteed.

    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.

    Sauteed onions are becoming translucent.

    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.

    A close up of white kidney beans.

    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.

    Spinach being added to the soup.

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

    Easy White Kidney Bean and Spinach Soup simmering in a pot.

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

    Of course, I like to sprinkle this hearty soup with some grated Pecorino Romano or Parmigiano Reggiano cheese.

    White bean recipes we love

    • White Bean Soup
    • Baked Beans
    • Escarole and Beans

    A big bowl of Easy White Kidney Bean and Spinach Soup.

    Recipe origins

    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 softcover 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 chickpeas 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 homemade 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 kidney bean soup, I would love to hear about it in the comments below and be sure to rate the recipe!

     

    A ladle of the White Kidney Bean and Spinach Soup.

    A big bowl of Easy White Kidney Bean and Spinach Soup.

    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.
    5 from 17 votes
    Print Save RecipeSaved! Pin Rate
    Course: Soup
    Cuisine: Canadian
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 25 minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes
    Servings: 6 servings
    Calories: 71kcal
    Author: Maria Vannelli RD
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    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

    • Drizzle olive oil in a large stockpot set over medium heat.
    • Add the onions and celery; and saute for about 5 minutes or until onions are translucent.
    • Add the garlic and cook for barely a minute, stirring frequently.
    • Add the vegetable stock, grated potato, bay leaf, and thyme.
    • Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium, cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
    • Add the white kidney beans and simmer for another 5 minutes.
    • Stir in the spinach and simmer for 1 more minute.
    • Remove from heat and add lemon juice and parsley.
    • Adjust salt and pepper seasonings.
    • If using, garnish with cheese.
    • Serve immediately
    Scroll UP for the STEP by STEP PhotosDon't miss the process shots and videos included in most posts. Simply scroll up the post to find them. Those were created especially for you so that you can make the recipe perfectly every single time you try it.

    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

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 71kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 2g | Sodium: 674mg | Potassium: 460mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 4850IU | Vitamin C: 21.5mg | Calcium: 67mg | Iron: 2.5mg
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    Filed Under: Soups, Vegetarian

    About Maria

    Maria Vannelli is a registered dietitian who lives in a suburb just outside Montreal, Canada. She's the founder of the food blog She Loves Biscotti. Maria hopes to inspire you and bring you and your loved ones closer together at meal times enabling you to create some memorable moments.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Carole Mireault

      May 23, 2022 at 7:30 pm

      This soup is amazing, even on a summer’s eve. Thanks Maria.

      Reply
      • Maria

        May 26, 2022 at 9:36 am

        My pleasure Carole! Thanks so much ♥

        Reply
    2. Fatima

      March 19, 2022 at 6:14 pm

      5 stars
      Made this today using Navy Beans in the instant pot, turned out great! Thanks Maria!

      Reply
      • Maria

        March 24, 2022 at 9:39 pm

        How wonderful Fatima! Thanks so much for sharing!

        Reply
    3. Carol

      March 06, 2022 at 9:32 am

      5 stars
      This soup is love in a bowl. Nothing can be more comforting than a nice hot bowl of this deliciousness on a cold winter day. I live for things that make me feel like this!

      Reply
      • Maria

        April 06, 2022 at 8:47 pm

        Thank you so much Carol!

        Reply
    4. Eden

      December 12, 2021 at 8:09 pm

      5 stars
      This one is a keeper! Simple, light & tasty yet very satisfying. The lemon juice is a great substitute for salt & gives it alot of flavor. Shredded potatoes give it nice texture & thickness. I add chopped carrots for color & extra veggies. I’ve also made it with kale instead if spinach.

      Reply
      • Maria

        December 13, 2021 at 8:06 am

        Love your variation Eden! Thanks so much for sharing.

        Reply
    5. Cheryl

      June 04, 2021 at 10:19 am

      5 stars
      Can I freeze this soup? I will rate it a five based on all the comments but hope to make it today. Just wondering if it can be frozen. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Maria

        June 10, 2021 at 8:33 pm

        Thanks for your interest Cheryl. Although I haven’t tried, I think it would be okay to freeze this soup. Would love to hear about your results if you do/did decide to freeze it. Thanks for stopping by.

        Reply
    6. Mary Louise

      January 21, 2021 at 9:57 pm

      I made this for dinner tonight, it was delicious! It came together quickly but tasted as if it’d simmered it for hours. I only had 5 oz of spinach in the house so we added 1/4 c. of ditalini. Cucina povera at it’s best! For dessert we had almond biscotti, another of your tried and true recipes. Next week, your lentil soup! Thank you for another tasty dish.

      Reply
      • Maria

        January 21, 2021 at 10:22 pm

        Thanks so much for taking the time to share Mary Louise! So thrilled to hear you enjoyed the soup.

        Reply
    7. Nancy

      January 13, 2021 at 10:00 pm

      5 stars
      I made this soup for dinner. My husband loved it. It was so good.He wanted to make soups like this in the future. I will add this to my recipe book.

      Reply
      • Maria

        January 14, 2021 at 10:00 am

        Fantastic Nancy! Thanks for sharing!

        Reply
    8. Amy

      September 25, 2020 at 9:04 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious! I finished with a drizzle of olive oil an sea salt. I didn’t have garlic or celery, so I used garlic powder and celery seeds… Still really delightful

      Reply
      • Maria

        September 26, 2020 at 8:57 am

        So thrilled to read this Amy! Thanks for sharing.

        Reply
    9. Sarah

      September 08, 2020 at 6:43 pm

      5 stars
      I added more stock and probably more spinach. It was delicious. And simple to make.

      Reply
      • Maria

        September 08, 2020 at 6:44 pm

        Thrilled to read this Sarah! Thanks so much for sharing!

        Reply
    10. Nellie

      September 05, 2020 at 1:47 pm

      5 stars
      This soup is delicious! Thank you.

      Reply
      • Maria

        September 06, 2020 at 9:30 am

        My pleasure Nellie! Glad you enjoyed it!

        Reply
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    Hi, I'm Maria! a dietitian and full-time content creator. Join me as I share traditional Italian recipes from my youth to modern twists on classics using fresh and seasonal ingredients.

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