Name: Cannellini Bean, Kale, and Orzo Soup
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 1 medium onion, chopped (1 cup); 2 stalks of celery, chopped (1 cup); 2 carrots, chopped (1 cup); 5 sprigs fresh parsley; 2 sprigs fresh thyme; 2 bay leaves; 3 cloves garlic, minced; ½ teaspoon sea salt, plus more for seasoning; 1 cup whole wheat orzo pasta; 1 15-oz. can no-salt-added cannellini (white kidney) beans, rinsed and drained; 1 cup stemmed and chopped kale; 1 teaspoon finely snipped fresh oregano; 1 lemon; Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Prep-time: 20 minutes / Ready In: 50 minutes
Makes 10 cups
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The homemade vegetable broth gives this vegan cannellini bean soup a beautiful golden color and fresh taste. The cannellini beans—smooth and slightly nutty—add a full-bodied flavor.

By Carla Christian, RD, LD, Mar 15, 2019

Ingredients

1 medium onion, chopped (1 cup)
2 stalks of celery, chopped (1 cup)
2 carrots, chopped (1 cup)
5 sprigs fresh parsley
2 sprigs fresh thyme
2 bay leaves
3 cloves garlic, minced
½ teaspoon sea salt, plus more for seasoning
1 cup whole wheat orzo pasta
1 15-oz. can no-salt-added cannellini (white kidney) beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup stemmed and chopped kale
1 teaspoon finely snipped fresh oregano
1 lemon
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

In a 5- to 6-qt. Dutch oven combine the first eight ingredients (through the ½ tsp. salt) and 8 cups water. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, 20 minutes.
Stir in orzo. Simmer, covered, 10 minutes more, stirring occasionally. Remove and discard parsley and thyme sprigs and bay leaves. Stir in beans, kale, and oregano. Return to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, 5 minutes more.
Meanwhile, remove ½ teaspoon zest and squeeze 2 tablespoons juice from lemon. Before serving, stir lemon juice into soup. Season with the remaining salt and the pepper to taste. Top servings with lemon zest.

(5)

6 Comments

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(4.8 from 5 votes)

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Jenny10 months ago

My husband and I loved this recipe. I made a double batch making sure to use broth instead of water which adds so much flavor.

Jen B2 years ago

I doubled the beans, then puréed about 1.5c of the soup and added it back in. So good!

Jen B2 years ago

Forgot to add the 5 stars, sorry

Mary2 years ago

I replaced 8 c water with vegetable broth and thought it worked well. Love the lemon flavor.

Anne2 years ago

So good! I’ve made this many times and it’s delicious.

Jeannie2 years ago

Very tasty soup. I’ll definitely be making this again. The ingredients are simple and the flavor is delicious.

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about the author

Carla Christian, RD, LD

Carla Christian received her associate’s degree in culinary arts from the Culinary Institute of America in 2006 and her bachelor’s degree in dietetics from Michigan State University in 2009. She finished her dietetic internship from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 2010 and is a former chef in the Better Homes and Gardens® Test Kitchen. Find her on LinkedIn. Photo by Jason Donnelly.

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