Tuscan White Bean and Pasta Soup
This hearty Tuscan White Bean and Pasta Soup combines the creamy texture of great northern beans with tender pasta and a medley of aromatic herbs, creating a comforting dish perfect for any day. The richness of garlic, onions, and tomatoes bring depth and flavor to the soup, while the olive oil adds a touch of richness. Serve it hot with a drizzle of high-quality olive oil and freshly grated Parmesan cheese for a delightful finish. Ideal for family dinners or as a satisfying spotlight in meal prep, this recipe brings a taste of Italy to your kitchen.
6
Servings
400
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
Dried great northern beans
1 (package (16 ounces))
Water
16 (cups (or more))
Garlic
5 (cloves, unpeeled)
Garlic
3 (cloves, peeled and chopped)
Celery
1 (stalk, cut in half)
Olive oil
5 (tablespoons, divided)
Onions
2 (medium, chopped (about 3 cups))
Diced tomatoes
1 (can (14 1/2 ounces) in juice)
Fresh rosemary
1 (tablespoon, chopped)
Fresh sage
1 (tablespoon, chopped)
Celery salt
1/2 (teaspoon)
Tubettini pasta or elbow macaroni
3/4 (cup (about 6 ounces))
Instructions
1
Place the dried great northern beans in a large pot and cover them with cold water by three inches. Let them soak overnight, allowing the beans to absorb water and soften.
2
The next day, drain the beans well and return them to the pot. Add 16 cups of fresh water, the 5 unpeeled garlic cloves, and the halved celery stalk.
3
Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beans are nearly tender.
4
While the beans are cooking, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onions and the 3 peeled and chopped garlic cloves. Sauté until the onions are golden brown, about 10 minutes.
5
Stir in the diced tomatoes along with their juices, chopped rosemary, chopped sage, and celery salt. Mix well to combine the vegetable mixture.
6
Once the beans are tender, add the vegetable mixture from the skillet to the pot with the beans. Allow the combined mixture to simmer for an additional 45 minutes.
7
In a separate large pot, bring salted water to a boil, then add the tubettini or elbow macaroni. Cook according to the package instructions until the pasta is tender but still firm, stirring occasionally. Drain well.
8
Add the cooked pasta and the remaining 3 tablespoons of olive oil to the bean and vegetable soup in the pot. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
9
If desired, thin the soup with additional water. Season with salt and pepper to taste before serving.
10
Serve the soup hot, optionally drizzled with more olive oil and topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Nutrition Information
12g
Fat
53g
Carbs
17g
Protein
13g
Fiber
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tuscan White Bean and Pasta Soup?
It is a hearty dish that combines great northern beans, pasta, and aromatic herbs in a savory tomato and garlic broth.
What specific beans are used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for one 16-ounce package of dried great northern beans.
Do I need to soak the beans?
Yes, the dried beans should be soaked overnight in cold water to allow them to soften properly.
How much water is required for the beans?
You will need 16 cups of fresh water to simmer the beans, plus more for soaking and boiling pasta.
What kind of garlic is used in the soup?
The recipe uses both unpeeled garlic cloves for the bean broth and peeled, chopped cloves for the vegetable sauté.
How many garlic cloves are needed total?
A total of 8 garlic cloves are used: 5 unpeeled and 3 peeled and chopped.
What herbs provide the flavor for this soup?
Freshly chopped rosemary and sage are the primary herbs used to provide a classic Italian aroma.
What type of pasta is recommended?
Tubettini pasta or elbow macaroni are the best shapes to use for this soup.
Is this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, this recipe is vegetarian as it uses beans and vegetables without any meat ingredients.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe is designed to yield approximately 6 servings.
How many calories are in one serving?
Each serving contains approximately 400 calories.
What is the protein content per serving?
There are 17 grams of protein in each serving of this white bean soup.
Is this soup high in fiber?
Yes, it is high in fiber, providing 13 grams per serving.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains 12 grams of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 53 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
Why should I cook the pasta separately?
Cooking pasta separately ensures it reaches the perfect texture and prevents it from absorbing too much of the soup's broth.
How long do the onions need to sauté?
The chopped onions should be sautéed for about 10 minutes until they are golden brown.
What kind of tomatoes should I use?
Use one 14.5-ounce can of diced tomatoes in juice for the vegetable base.
What is the purpose of celery salt?
Celery salt is added to the vegetable mixture to enhance the savory flavor profile.
How should I serve this soup?
Serve it hot, optionally drizzled with high-quality olive oil and topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Can I adjust the thickness of the soup?
Yes, if the soup is too thick, you can thin it by adding additional water until you reach the desired consistency.
How long do the beans simmer?
After the initial boil, the beans simmer for approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.
How is the celery used in the recipe?
One celery stalk is halved and added to the bean pot, while celery salt is used in the vegetable mixture.
Is this soup suitable for meal prep?
Yes, the recipe is ideal for meal prep as it is hearty and stores well.
What type of oil is used?
The recipe calls for 5 tablespoons of olive oil, divided for sautéing and finishing the soup.
How long is the final simmer after combining ingredients?
Once the vegetable mixture is added to the beans, the soup simmers for an additional 45 minutes.
Is there a recommended cheese topping?
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese is the recommended topping for a delightful finish.
What is the texture of the soup?
The soup offers a creamy texture from the great northern beans combined with firm pasta and soft vegetables.
Is this recipe considered easy to make?
Yes, it is classified as an easy recipe with straightforward cooking instructions.
What is the final seasoning step?
The final step is to season the soup with salt and pepper to taste before serving.