Tuscan Kale and Cannellini Bean Soup

Kale and cannellini bean soup ~ simple, healthy and rustic soup, with Tuscan kale and white cannellini beans.

I first posted this Tuscan Kale and Cannellini Bean Soup about a year and a half ago, when I first started this blog.  I still love it, just made it today, and decided to update the photos.  Hope you try this soup, especially if you've been overindulging this time of year ~ it's so good for you and a nice break from rich food.

This has been my go-to soup lately.  I've been making it a lot.  I'm getting a bit tired of my doctor's complaints about my cholesterol levels and am trying to get my numbers acceptable. This soup is just the ticket.  Simple, healthy and hearty.

It's super easy to make with just a few ingredients.  I love Lacinato kale, also known as Tuscan kale.  It has a more mild taste to me than the curly variety which sometimes tastes bitter.  But you can use whatever kind of kale you like.  And I love the creaminess of cannellini beans, here they are bathed in olive oil and garlic.  I use canned beans but go ahead and use dried if you like.  I tend to go for a quicker preparation than soaking overnight and then cooking for a couple of hours.  Whatever floats your boat.

I highly recommend homemade chicken broth for this soup, with so few ingredients, it makes a huge difference in the taste.  This soup is finished off with some heat from fresh chili pepper.  My husband is a huge meat eater so I add some Italian sausage to his bowl, which is a great addition to this soup.  Any type of sausage works, just use what you like.

Here's how I make it, hope you like it! ~ Kelly

If you’ve tried this Kale and White Bean Soup, please rate it below in the comments and let me know how it went ~ I love hearing from you! HUNGRY FOR MORE?  Subscribe to my Newsletter and come hang out with me on PINTEREST, INSTAGRAM and FACEBOOK for all the latest updates.

Tuscan Kale and Cannellini Bean Soup

Simple, healthy and rustic soup, with Tuscan kale and white cannellini beans.

5 from 4 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Soup

Cuisine: Italian

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 336kcal

Author: Kelly Wildenhaus

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Ingredients

• ▢ 2 tablespoon olive oil
• ▢ 2-4 cloves garlic, finely chopped (I like lots of garlic)
• ▢ 2 cans (14-ounce) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• ▢ 4 cups homemade chicken broth, or low sodium canned broth
• ▢ 4-5 cups roughly chopped Lacinato kale ~ I just use the whole bunch
• ▢ Kosher salt to taste
• ▢ 1 small chili pepper, like serrano, thinly sliced (I sometimes use 2)
• ▢ Optional: cooked sausage, sliced crosswise

Instructions

• Heat the olive oil and garlic in a large pot over medium heat until aromatic, about a minute or two. Careful not to burn the garlic. Add the beans and stir to coat with the oil and garlic.
• Add the chicken broth and kale and season with some salt. Cover the pot and simmer until kale is wilted and to your liking, about 15 minutes.
• Add the sliced serrano (or jalapeno) pepper and cook until heated through. Season to taste with more salt if needed.
• Stir in sliced sausage if using, or just add to the individual bowl.

Recipe Notes

I love Lacinato kale, also known as Tuscan kale.  It has a more mild taste to me than the curly variety which sometimes tastes bitter.  But you can use whatever kind of kale you like.  And I love the creaminess of cannellini beans, here they are bathed in olive oil and garlic.  I use canned beans but go ahead and use dried if you like. 

Nutrition

Calories: 336kcal Carbohydrates: 49g Protein: 18g Fat: 8g Saturated Fat: 1g Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g Monounsaturated Fat: 5g Cholesterol: 5mg Sodium: 895mg Potassium: 1123mg Fiber: 11g Sugar: 2g Vitamin A: 2117IU Vitamin C: 21mg Calcium: 226mg Iron: 7mg

Did you make this recipe? Please comment, rate it and share! And mention me on Instagram @thehungrybluebird or tag #thehungrybluebird so I can see!

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* I adapted this recipe from a newspaper clipping out of my messy recipe drawer.