Creamy White Bean & Bacon Spinach Soup – A Cozy Bowl of Comfort

Creamy White Bean & Bacon Spinach Soup – A Cozy Bowl of Comfort

from miarecipes.com
35 min
6 servings

Warm up with this creamy white bean & bacon spinach soup — rich, hearty, and bursting with cozy flavor.

Ingredients

  • 2 canswhite beans or cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
  • 4slices bacon, chopped
  • 1 tablespoonolive oil (optional, if needed)
  • 1 mediumonion, diced
  • 1celery stalk, diced
  • 1 largecarrot, diced
  • 2garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 mediumpotatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
  • 1 tablespoontomato paste
  • 2 cupsvegetable broth or hot water
  • 1 cupfrozen spinach (optional)
  • 1 tablespoonchopped fresh rosemary (or 1 sprig whole / ½ teaspoon dried rosemary)
  • ½ teaspoonpaprika (optional)
  • ½ teaspoonfine salt, plus more to taste
  • ⅛ teaspoonblack pepper, plus more to taste
  • extra olive oil, for drizzling (optional)

Directions

  1. 1

    Cook the Bacon

  2. 2

    Place a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the chopped bacon and cook until crispy, about 5–6 minutes.

  3. 3

    Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside on a paper towel–lined plate. Keep about 1 tablespoon of the rendered fat in the pot (add a little olive oil if needed).

  4. 4

    Sauté the Vegetables

  5. 5

    In the same pot, add the onion, celery, and carrot. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion turns soft and translucent.

  6. 6

    Add Garlic and Seasonings

  7. 7

    Stir in the garlic, tomato paste, rosemary, and paprika. Cook for 1 minute, allowing the flavors to bloom.

  8. 8

    Add the Potatoes and Beans

  9. 9

    Add the potatoes and white beans to the pot, stirring well to coat them with the flavorful mixture.

  10. 10

    Build the Soup Base

  11. 11

    Pour in the vegetable broth, then add spinach, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine.

  12. 12

    Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and the soup begins to thicken.

  13. 13

    Blend for Creaminess (Optional)

  14. 14

    For a creamier texture, lightly mash some of the beans with a spoon or blend a small portion of the soup, then stir it back in.

  15. 15

    Finish and Serve

  16. 16

    Stir in the crispy bacon just before serving, or sprinkle it on top as a garnish for added crunch.

  17. 17

    Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper, if needed.

  18. 18

    Garnish and Enjoy

  19. 19

    Ladle the soup into bowls and drizzle with a touch of olive oil for extra richness. Serve warm with crusty bread — and if you like, top with a bit of grated Parmesan for a comforting finish.