Love hearty soups? Check out this easy Pasta Fazool recipe, this Tuscan White Bean Soup, or this Italian Meatball Soup! Bacon White Bean Soup is a family favorite of ours, and I know you’ll love it as part of your dinner rotation, too! White Bean Soup is the perfect comfort food that’s also healthy. It’ll bring warmth to any dinner table, but we especially love it in cold weather with a side of Mom’s Homemade Buns. Like most soups, this easy recipe is incredibly versatile. You can add in seasonal veggies or use your favorite hard cheeses to make it your own. I’ve also included tips for making it vegetarian down in the recipe card! It’s a quick, protein-loaded dinner option, and the leftovers store well, ensuring you have a tasty meal ready whenever you need it. For more hearty soup recipes, check out my One Pot Turkey Tetrazzini Soup Recipe, Quick Chicken Bacon Rice Soup, and this Instant Pot Potato Soup Recipe! Below I’ll show you everything you need to whip up this cozy soup!
Ingredients Needed:
Bacon: The ingredient that brings the much-loved smoky flavor to the soup. Vegetables: A classic combination of onion, carrot, and celery makes a perfect savory, hearty base for this delicious soup, with essential nutrients too. Seasoning: fresh garlic is the best choice for an aromatic infusion, along with dried Italian herbs like thyme, oregano, and parsley, with some paprika, black pepper, and red pepper flakes for a bit of a kick! Broth: low-sodium chicken broth forms the liquid base of the soup, but homemade chicken stock can be used for even more flavor. If your broth already includes salt, you can omit the salt and add to taste before serving. White kidney beans: blended white kidney beans add to the creamy texture of the soup. Cannellini beans, Great Northern beans, or Navy beans can be used as alternatives. Half and Half: to give the soup a creamy texture, but heavy cream can be used for a richer consistency. Cheese: parmesan cheese will melt to add a salty, nutty flavor to the soup. Green leaves: use fresh parsley or spinach leaves for added color and nutrients.
How to Make Bacon White Bean Soup
This recipe is surprisingly easy to make! Full instructions are included in the recipe card below.
Tips and Notes
Using dry beans. If you’re using dry beans instead of canned, ensure they are cooked before adding them to the soup. Bacon fat. We’ll be saving the bacon fat after cooking the bacon. This will add extra flavor to the soup when you sauté the vegetables. If you omitted the bacon or don’t have much fat left over, you can use butter or olive oil instead. Adjusting the thickness. If your soup is too thick, you can easily adjust the consistency by adding more chicken broth or water until it reaches your desired consistency. For a thicker soup, allow it to simmer a bit longer, or use a potato masher or immersion blender to break down some of the veggies.
Bacon White Bean Soup Variations
Use other kinds of bacon: Turkey bacon can be used as a leaner option while still providing a smoky flavor. You can also omit the bacon for a meatless version. Make it vegetarian: Choose vegetable broth, omit the cream and choose a vegetarian cheese. Choose a lighter cream: Heavy cream will give a richer texture, but you can use whole milk for a lighter version if you prefer. Use another cheese: Feel free to experiment with different types of hard, aged cheeses for a unique flavor profile. Additional vegetables: Adding kale, spinach, or other leafy greens can boost nutrients and add different textures to the soup.
Serving Suggestions
One of the best ways to enjoy this soup is with a side of crusty bread, like my No Knead Artisan Bread. It adds a delightful texture contrast and is perfect for soaking up the flavorful broth. Homemade Breadsticks or these Buttery (Whole Wheat) Bread Machine Rolls are also great choices for soaking up soupy goodness! A light, fresh salad like Easy Broccoli Salad would make a great accompaniment to this rich, creamy soup, balancing the meal and adding a variety of textures and flavors.
More Comforting Soup Recipes To Try
Crockpot Potato Soup
Slow Cooker Creamy Vegetable Soup
Easy Crockpot Chili Recipe
Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato Soup (with hidden veggies!)
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