Cozy Tuscan White Bean Soup - Winter Comfort in a Bowl

Feeling the cold this winter? Warm up with my delicious Tuscan White Bean Soup, a hearty, cozy and healthy recipe perfect for the season. This comforting dish features creamy butter beans (or cannellini beans), fresh greens, and a homemade vegetable stock that adds an extra layer of flavor and nourishment. Whether you're trying to eat healthier after the holidays or craving a cozy bowl of goodness, this soup delivers on all fronts. In this video, I’ll guide you step-by-step on how to make your own flavorful vegetable stock using everyday ingredients, as well as how to prepare dried beans if you prefer to use them. Customizable, nutrient-packed, and oh-so-delicious, this Tuscan classic is a must-try for vegetarians, pescatarians, or anyone who loves wholesome food. Grab your favorite crusty bread and let’s get started. Chapters 00:00 - Why This Soup is Perfect for Winter 01:16 - Making Homemade Vegetable Stock 02:37 - Cooking the Soup Base 08:51 - Adding Herbs, Beans and Greens 09:45 - Making Croutons in the Air Fryer 13:01 - Finishing Touches and Garnishing 13:37 - Serving Suggestions and Closing Thoughts Ingredients For the Homemade Vegetable Stock 1 onion 2 carrots 2 celery stalks (halved) 2 bay leaves 1.5 L (6 cups) water For the Soup Olive oil 1 onion (chopped) 2 carrots (diced) 2 celery stalks (diced) 3 garlic cloves (minced) 1 L (4 cups) vegetable stock (homemade or store-bought) 2 x 400g (14 oz) cans butter beans (or cannellini beans) 1 bunch kale, spinach, or Swiss chard (roughly chopped) 400 g of tomatoes (fresh or canned) 1 tsp dried thyme 1 tsp rosemary - fresh or dry ½ tsp paprika ½ tsp chilli flakes Salt and black pepper, to taste Juice of ½ lemon Grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for garnish) Bread for the croutons (optional) Recipe Instructions 1. Make the Vegetable Stock In a pot add the onion, carrots, celery, bay leaves and a pinch of salt. Cover with water, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 15/20 minutes. 2. Sauté the Vegetables Add olive oil in a large pot .Add the diced onion, carrots, celery and bay leaves and cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened. 3. Add Garlic and Spices Stir in the minced garlic, thyme, rosemary, paprika, and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for 30 seconds, or until fragrant. 4. Add Tomatoes, Beans and Broth Add the beans and diced tomatoes. Stir well to combine, bring the soup to a gentle boil and cover everything with vegetable stock leaving 2cm over the top of the beans 5. Simmer Reduce the heat to low and let the soup simmer for 15–20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. 6. Add the Greens Stir in the chopped greens and simmer for an additional 10 minutes, or until the greens are wilted and tender. 7. Season and Finish Taste the soup and season with salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lemon juice, if desired. 8. Serve Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with grated Parmesan cheese, if using. Serve hot with crusty bread on the side for dipping or croutons (instructions below). Air Fryer Croutons Instructions Prepare the Bread: Cut day-old bread into small cubes, around 1–1.5 cm in size. Use any type of bread you like—sourdough, ciabatta, or rustic white bread work particularly well. Season the Bread Cubes: Place the bread cubes in a mixing bowl. Drizzle with olive oil (approximately 2–3 tablespoons per 2 cups of bread cubes). Sprinkle with a pinch of salt, pepper, and any seasonings you love. Suggestions include garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, or paprika. Toss well to coat evenly. Set your air fryer to 180°C. Spread the seasoned bread cubes in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding to ensure even crisping. Cook for 7 to 10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until the croutons are golden brown and crispy. Cool and Store: Allow the croutons to cool completely before using them. This will help them maintain their crunch. Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. These air fryer croutons are light, crunchy, and perfect for topping your Tuscan White Bean Soup. #TuscanSoup #WhiteBeanSoup #VegetableStock #HealthyRecipes #WinterComfortFood #ItalianCuisine #Vegetariasoup #Tortellinotime #Tortellino #Soup #Souprecipe