Hearty Ham and Bean Soup
This deliciously satisfying Hearty Ham and Bean Soup is the perfect comfort dish for any day of the week. With tender pieces of diced ham mingling with creamy great northern beans, fresh vegetables, and a hint of tomato, each spoonful is bursting with flavor. Best of all, there's no need to soak dry beans — this recipe comes together in just one hour, making it an ideal option for a quick weeknight dinner or a cozy gathering with friends and family.
4
Servings
210
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
vegetable oil
2 tablespoons (none)
carrot
1 cup (diced or sliced)
celery
1 cup (diced)
onion
1 cup (chopped)
ham
2 cups (diced)
garlic
1/2 teaspoon (minced)
ham stock or chicken broth
3 1/2 cups (can substitute with water if desired)
great northern beans
2 (15 1/2 ounce) cans (not drained)
tomato sauce
3-4 tablespoons (none)
pepper
to taste (none)
Instructions
1
In a large soup pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat.
2
Add the diced carrots, celery, and chopped onion. Sauté for about 4 minutes, until the onions are beginning to soften.
3
Incorporate the diced ham into the pot and sauté for an additional 2 minutes to enhance the flavor.
4
Add the minced garlic and sauté for another minute, stirring to combine all ingredients.
5
Pour in 3 cups of the ham stock (or chicken broth), and bring the mixture to a low boil. Allow it to cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6
While the soup is boiling, prepare the bean puree. In a food processor, combine the contents of one and a half cans of great northern beans (including the juice) and the tomato sauce. Process until smooth.
7
Add the remaining stock to the processor to achieve a thinner consistency, then process again to combine.
8
Carefully pour the bean mixture into the soup pot, stirring well to integrate it with the ham and vegetables.
9
Stir in the remaining half can of beans for added texture, and season with pepper to taste.
10
Bring the soup back to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
11
Serve hot with your favorite bread or crackers for a complete meal!
Nutrition Information
4g
Fat
24g
Carbs
17g
Protein
5g
Fiber
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Ham and Bean Soup?
It is a comfort dish featuring diced ham, creamy great northern beans, fresh vegetables, and a hint of tomato.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
The recipe makes 4 servings.
How many calories are in a serving?
There are 210 calories per serving.
What is the protein content per serving?
Each serving contains 17g of protein.
How much fat is in this soup?
There are 4g of fat per serving.
What is the carbohydrate count?
The soup has 24g of carbohydrates per serving.
How much fiber does it contain?
There are 5g of fiber per serving.
Do I need to soak the beans before cooking?
No, this recipe uses canned beans and requires no soaking, allowing it to be ready in one hour.
What type of beans should I use?
Great northern beans are used in this recipe.
How many cans of beans are required?
You will need two 15.5 ounce cans of great northern beans.
What kind of ham is used?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of diced ham.
What vegetables are included?
The vegetables include diced carrots, celery, chopped onion, and minced garlic.
Can I substitute the ham stock?
Yes, you can use chicken broth or even water as a substitute for ham stock.
What type of oil is used for sautéing?
Vegetable oil is used to sauté the vegetables at the start of the recipe.
How much tomato sauce is needed?
You need 3 to 4 tablespoons of tomato sauce.
How should the garlic be prepared?
The garlic should be minced before being added to the pot.
What is the first step in the instructions?
The first step is to heat vegetable oil in a large soup pot over medium heat.
How long should I sauté the vegetables?
Sauté the carrots, celery, and onion for about 4 minutes until the onions begin to soften.
When do I add the diced ham to the pot?
Add the ham after the initial vegetable sauté and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
How long should the ham stock and vegetables boil initially?
They should boil together for about 10 minutes.
How do I prepare the bean puree?
Process one and a half cans of beans with their juice and the tomato sauce in a food processor until smooth.
Why is some of the stock added to the food processor?
It is processed with the beans to help achieve a thinner, smoother consistency for the puree.
What adds texture to the soup after pureeing most of the beans?
The remaining half can of whole beans is stirred in to provide additional texture.
How long does the soup need to simmer?
The soup should simmer covered for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
What is the total ingredient count for this recipe?
There are 10 ingredients required for this recipe.
Is this soup considered a comfort food?
Yes, it is described as a deliciously satisfying comfort dish.
Can this recipe be completed in one hour?
Yes, the recipe is designed to come together in just one hour.
What should I serve with the soup for a complete meal?
It is best served hot with your favorite bread or crackers.
Is this a good weeknight dinner option?
Yes, because it is a quick one-pot dish, it is ideal for a weeknight dinner.
How do I season the soup?
You should season the soup with pepper to taste before the final simmer.