This creamy soup is the perfect comfort food you can enjoy without feeling guilty. Thickened with blended cannellini beans, this healthy soup is topped with fresh basil, rich in flavor, and oh so satisfying. And, it's done and ready to eat in 30 minutes!
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of KitchenAid. All opinions are my own.
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When you think of cream based soup, you probably think unhealthy and full of fat. And a lot of creamy soups fall into that category. But not this one. This white bean soup is a healthy vegetable soup recipe made with tomatoes and cannellini beans. And soups with white beans are healthy, delicious, and provide that silky and cream based texture that everyone enjoys without all the fat.
Ingredients You'll Need
While white beans, navy beans, great northern white beans, and cannellini beans are all technically white, they are not the same. The good news is you can use any of those beans for this creamy tomato and white bean soup! They all taste amazing.
The ingredients for this soup are simple. The base is made with juicy tomatoes and chicken broth, plus the addition of some amazing herbs and spices. You'll also add white beans and then puree every ingredient together in a blender. Then, you'll simmer it in a large pot and top it with butter. Simple ingredients make the best recipes. Get ready for a deliciously comforting soup!
Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions
Start by heating the olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and minced garlic and saute for 1 minute, until soft and fragrant.
Dice the fresh tomatoes and add them to a large pan. Add in the sauteed onions and garlic as well as the can of diced tomatoes, dried basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stil until well combined. Cover and bring the contents to a boil, then lower the heat and let simmer for 20 minutes.
Working in batches, transfer tomato mixture to a blender. Add the white beans and chicken broth.
The goal here is to puree. Expert Tip: If you're using a blender, set it to the smoothie setting. This setting works perfect for this white bean soup recipe because it typically cycles through different speeds which contributes to getting at that creamy consistency you're looking for.
When well blended, return the mixture to a large saucepan, cover, and simmer on medium-low heat for 5-10 minutes. Add the butter and simmer for 5-10 minutes, covered. Once done, ladle the soup to a bowl and top with fresh basil.
Expert Tips
- A food processor also works if you don't have a blender.
- Store any leftovers in a container with a lid in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- This white bean soup freezes really well. When the soup completely cools, store it in a freezer safe container or a gallon size ziplock bag. When you're ready to eat, thaw it in the refrigerator and then reheat on the stove top or in the microwave.
- I love topping this soup with raw pumpkin seeds, sunflower kernels, fresh basil, or sour cream.
- If your not dairy free, try adding ½ cup of fresh Parmesan cheese in the last step of when you add the butter. The cheese makes it even creamier.
- This hearty vegetable soup recipe is so amazing with a grilled cheese sandwich or served with any toasted bread. Especially, toasted cheesy bread like my Quick Peppery Cheese Bread.
More Creamy Soup Recipes
I love a good tasty and healthy creamy soup. My Roasted Tomato Basil Soup is just that...it's creamy and full of incredible flavor. This is more of a traditional homemade tomato soup that is made with roasted tomatoes and fresh basil. It's so velvety and an easy tomato soup to make.
This Kale and Leek Soup is low in calories and super healthy because it's made with fresh kale, leeks, and chicken broth. So good in fact that my teenager asks me to make this one often! And this Sweet Potato Soup with Butter Beans is also creamy and delicious. This one is made in the Instant Pot and has a hint of nutmeg to add some extra flavor. Blended butter beans makes this white bean soup over the top delicious!
I can’t wait to hear how this recipe turned out for you! If you’ve tried this or any other recipe of mine on the website, make sure you rate the recipe. You can also leave a comment below! I love hearing from you!
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Creamy Tomato and White Bean Soup
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- ½ onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 14 oz can diced tomatoes
- 3 fresh tomatoes, on vine
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon fresh ground pepper
- 1 15 oz can white beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup chicken broth,
- 1 Tablespoon butter, unsalted
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, optional
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and minced garlic and saute for 1 minute, until soft.
- Dice the fresh tomatoes and add them to a large pan.
- Add in the sauteed onions and garlic as well as the can of diced tomatoes, dried basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stil until well combined.
- Cover and bring the contents to a boil, then lower the heat and let the mixture simmer for 20 minutes.
- Working in batches, transfer the tomato mixture to a blender. Add the beans and chicken broth.
- Puree for 2 minutes. Once everything is well blended, return the pureed mixture to the large saucepan and simmer on medium low heat for 5-10 minutes, covered.
- Add in the butter and Parmesan cheese (optional) and stir until melted. Add additional salt and pepper to taste, if needed. Serve immediately.
Notes
- A food processor also works if you don't have a blender.
- Store any leftovers in a container with a lid in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- This white bean soup freezes really well. When the soup completely cools, store it in a freezer safe container or a gallon size ziplock bag. When you're ready to eat, thaw it in the refrigerator and then reheat on the stove top or in the microwave.
- I love topping this soup with raw pumpkin seeds, sunflower kernels, fresh basil, or sour cream.
- If your not dairy free, try adding ½ cup of fresh Parmesan cheese in the last step of when you add the butter. The cheese makes it even creamier.
- This hearty vegetable soup recipe is so amazing with a grilled cheese sandwich or served with any toasted bread. Especially, toasted cheesy bread like my Quick Peppery Cheese Bread.
Nutrition
Update Notes: This post was originally published in November 2017, but was re-published with updated step-by-step instructions, pictures, and tips in September 2021.
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy
Homemade soup is always soooo good. With the cold weather just around the corner, pots of soup will be a staple for the next several months. This looks delicious...and you can never go wrong with tomato soup and grilled cheese.
Amanda Mason
Thanks!! Yes, this one is so comforting and perfect for the upcoming cold weather! I hope you enjoy it!!
Monica | Nourish & Fete
This looks fantastic - I just love soups like this, where you get that creamy texture without having to actually add cream! An immersion blender has been life-changing for me for the express purpose of making soups like this. Pinning this one to add to my own menu of soup options this fall!
Amanda Mason
Awesome! Yes - that blender sounds perfect for this type of soup!! I hope you enjoy this recipe!
Amelie
I'm sure my kids will love this soup as well! Thanks for the inspiration!
Amanda Mason
My kids adore this one because they get to dip in their Grilled Cheese Sandwich with the soup!
Renz
I am fine with dairy but really love making my soups creamy using beans. Your cooking dilemma made me laugh. I guess it keeps you on your feet making sure everyone eats as they should.
Amanda Mason
Yeah - welcome to my life! Hey - I do try!!
Julie
I've never thought about adding white beans to my tomato soup, but such a great idea for a little extra texture and protein. Grilled cheese and a bowl of soup is my all time favorite cold weather splurge meal and your version looks delicious!
Amanda Mason
Thank you! Yes, I tend to splurge a lot on yummy fall foods and this one is perfect!
Christine
Love the addition of cannellini bean beans in this soup! And it looks perfect for dipping a toasty warm grilled cheese!
Amanda Mason
Thanks!! Yeah - it's a super yummy fast food!
Michele Hall
I have had an issue for a couple of years with lots of dairy.... thus haven't had much tomato soup at all... can't wait to make this for my sister coming over this week. Its a soup I used to LOVE all of the time. Thanks for sharing
Amanda Mason
Let me know how you like it when make it for your sister!!
Cheryl
You had me at grilled cheese, but adding white bean to a classic tomato soup sounds awesome.
Amanda Mason
Thanks! YEs - these 2 combinations are AMAZING! Enjoy!
Carol Borchardt
I love a good homemade tomato soup! Love the addition of the beans and the grilled cheese dippers are perfect!
Amanda Mason
Thanks! Yes - gosh now I'm craving a grilled cheese sandwich!!
prasanna hede
adding beans to soup sounds interesting...never tried this way though.lovely recipe.
Amanda Mason
It's always fun when you step outside the box and things turn out yummy!!