Description
A comforting and hearty Tuscan White Bean and Kale Soup (Ribollita) recipe. Simple ingredients, rustic flavors, and a nourishing meal that’s perfect for any day.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for drizzling
- 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 carrots, peeled and finely chopped
- 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
- 1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 6 cups vegetable broth (or chicken broth for a non-vegetarian version)
- 2 (15-ounce) cans cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 bunch kale (about 6–8 cups chopped), tough stems removed, roughly chopped
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 4–6 slices day-old crusty bread, torn into bite-sized pieces (optional, for traditional Ribollita)
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened and the onion is translucent, about 8-10 minutes.
- 2. Add the minced garlic, dried rosemary, dried thyme, and red pepper flakes (if using) to the pot. Cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- 3. Pour in the diced tomatoes (with their juices) and the vegetable broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
- 4. Add 1.5 cans of the cannellini beans to the pot. Using the back of a spoon or a potato masher, gently mash about half of these beans against the side of the pot. Leave the remaining half can whole.
- 5. Bring the soup back to a gentle simmer. Stir in the chopped kale. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the kale has wilted and is tender, about 5-7 minutes.
- 6. Season the soup generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
- 7. If you’re making a more traditional Ribollita, add the torn bread pieces to the soup. Stir them in and let them simmer for a few minutes until they begin to soften and absorb the broth.
- 8. Serve the Tuscan White Bean and Kale Soup hot. Ladle it into bowls and, if desired, top with a drizzle of good quality olive oil, a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and some extra black pepper.
Notes
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 10g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 12g
- Protein: 15g