Creamy Italian Garlic Bean Soup
Indulge in the comforting flavors of our Creamy Italian Garlic Bean Soup, a delightful twist on traditional Italian cuisine. This hearty soup features the rich, roasted flavors of garlic, complemented by the creaminess of cannellini beans and luscious half-and-half. Infused with aromatic herbs and finished with a sprinkle of Parmesan and fresh parsley, this soup makes a perfect starter or a light meal. It’s easy to prepare and ideal for gatherings, evoking the warmth of Italian family dinners.
N/A
Servings
133
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Garlic heads
4 whole (Roasted)
Olive oil
1 1/2 tablespoons (Divided)
Yellow onion
1 cup (Chopped)
Celery stalks
2 (Chopped)
Chicken stock or broth
3 1/2 cups (Liquid)
Cannellini beans
1 (15-ounce) can (Drained and rinsed)
Dried basil
1/2 teaspoon (Dried herb)
Salt
3/4 teaspoon (To taste)
Black pepper
To taste (Freshly ground)
Bay leaf
1 (Whole)
Half-and-half
1/2 cup (Or milk, preferably fat-free)
Parmesan cheese
For topping (Freshly grated)
Fresh parsley
For topping (Chopped)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
Prepare the garlic heads by gently rubbing off some of the papery outer skins but leaving the heads intact. Slice off about 1/4 inch from the top of each garlic head, exposing the individual cloves.
3
Arrange the garlic heads cut side up in a lightly greased or oiled baking dish. Drizzle each head with about 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil.
4
Bake the garlic in the preheated oven for approximately 1 hour, or until golden and soft. Once done, let them cool slightly before squeezing the bulbs to release the roasted garlic pulp into a bowl. Set it aside.
5
In a large soup pot over medium heat, warm the remaining olive oil. Add the chopped onion and celery, sautéing them until they are tender and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
6
Incorporate the reserved roasted garlic pulp into the pot, stirring well. Add in the chicken stock, drained cannellini beans, dried basil, salt, freshly ground black pepper, and bay leaf.
7
Increase the heat to bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and let the soup simmer uncovered for 15 minutes.
8
Remove the bay leaf and discard it. Using a food processor, blender, or immersion blender, puree the soup until velvety smooth, working in batches if necessary.
9
Return the pureed soup to the pot, and stir in the half-and-half. Allow it to simmer for an additional 5 minutes, letting the flavors meld together.
10
Ladle the soup into bowls and generously top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley before serving.
Nutrition Information
4.5g
Fat
14g
Carbs
5.8g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Creamy Italian Garlic Bean Soup?
It is a hearty twist on Italian cuisine featuring roasted garlic, cannellini beans, and aromatic herbs.
How many garlic heads do I need?
You will need 4 whole heads of garlic for this recipe.
At what temperature do I roast the garlic?
Roast the garlic in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
How long does the garlic take to roast?
The garlic should bake for approximately 1 hour until it is golden and soft.
What type of beans are used in this soup?
This recipe specifically uses one 15-ounce can of cannellini beans.
Can I use vegetable broth instead of chicken stock?
Yes, you can substitute the 3.5 cups of chicken stock with vegetable broth if preferred.
Is this soup considered creamy?
Yes, it achieves a creamy texture through pureeing the beans and adding half-and-half.
How do I prepare the garlic for roasting?
Slice off about 1/4 inch from the top of each head to expose the cloves and drizzle with olive oil.
How many calories are in one serving?
There are approximately 133 calories per serving.
What is the protein content of the soup?
Each serving provides 5.8 grams of protein.
Which vegetables are sautéed in the pot?
Chopped yellow onion and two celery stalks are sautéed until tender and fragrant.
Do I need to drizzle oil on the garlic heads?
Yes, drizzle each head with about 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil before baking.
Which dried herbs are included in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 1/2 teaspoon of dried basil and one whole bay leaf.
How long should the soup simmer initially?
Let the soup simmer uncovered for 15 minutes before pureeing it.
What tools can I use to puree the soup?
You can use a food processor, a blender, or an immersion blender until it is velvety smooth.
Can I use fat-free milk instead of half-and-half?
Yes, the recipe allows for the use of fat-free milk as a substitute for half-and-half.
What are the suggested garnishes for this soup?
Top the soup with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Is this recipe easy for beginners?
Yes, it is tagged as an easy recipe and is ideal for family dinners and gatherings.
What is the total amount of olive oil needed?
The recipe requires 1 and 1/2 tablespoons of olive oil in total.
What is the total fat per serving?
There are 4.5 grams of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
Each serving contains 14 grams of carbohydrates.
When should the bay leaf be removed?
Remove and discard the bay leaf after the initial 15-minute simmer and before pureeing the soup.
At what point is the roasted garlic added?
Add the roasted garlic pulp to the pot after the onion and celery have been sautéed.
How much salt should I add?
The recipe suggests 3/4 teaspoon of salt, or you can adjust it to taste.
Can this soup be served as an appetizer?
Yes, it is categorized as both an appetizer and a light meal.
How do I get the pulp out of the roasted garlic bulbs?
Once cooled slightly, gently squeeze the bulbs to release the soft roasted garlic pulp into a bowl.
Should I drain and rinse the cannellini beans?
Yes, the beans should be drained and rinsed before adding them to the soup pot.
What type of onion is best for this recipe?
The recipe specifies using one cup of chopped yellow onion.
How long is the final simmering stage?
After adding the half-and-half, simmer for an additional 5 minutes to let the flavors meld.
What kind of flavors does this soup feature?
It features rich, roasted garlic flavors complemented by luscious cream and Italian herbs.