White Bean Kale Soup with Parmesan Toast

This rustic Tuscan-inspired White Bean Kale Soup is easy enough for a weeknight and delivers healthy wholesome comfort in a hurry! The Parmesan Toasts have a kick of black pepper for the perfect crispy, cheesy accompaniment.

Why This Recipe is a Keeper!

This rustic Tuscan-inspired White Bean Kale Soup is perfect for those times when you just want to put yourself in front of a steaming hot bowl of wholesome comfort that didn't take long to make.

It's slightly spicy from crushed red pepper flakes with a touch of lemony zing, too! The cheesy Parmesan Toast is like an oversized crispy, crunchy crouton perfect for soaking up every delicious drop!

This White Bean Kale Soup recipe is:

• Easy to make.
• Healthy and wholesome.
• Super flavorful!
• Make-ahead.
• Freezer-friendly.
• Budget-friendly!

Let's make it!

How to Make White Bean Kale Soup with Parmesan Toast:

Recipe Ingredients:

Here’s everything you’ll need to make this kale and white bean soup recipe and the toast along with how to prep. See the recipe card below for the exact quantities.

Ingredient Notes:

• Chicken Broth / Stock: The best chicken broth or stock is the one you make yourself. However, if you can't, Swanson Natural Goodness Chicken Broth is a good alternative. To make the soup vegetarian, use vegetable broth.
• Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese: Parmigiano Reggiano cheese only comes from in and around Parma, Italy but is sold at most cheese counters in the U. S. The production is strictly monitored by the Italian government. It has a rich, granular texture with a slightly sharp, nutty complex flavor. A little goes a long way because of its strong umami characteristics. Grana Padano is similar, a little less expensive and can be substituted. Any other cheese of this style produced elsewhere in the world is called Parmesan which you can also use here. I used Parmigiano Reggiano here because the rind of Parmigiano Reggiano adds flavor when added to soups and stews so it's a lovely addition to this white bean soup with kale. NOTE: Parmigiano Reggiano is NOT vegetarian. Animal rennet must be used for it to be considered true Parmigiano Reggiano. If you desire a vegetarian soup, use a domestic Parmesan cheese that does not contain animal rennet.
• Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese Rinds: When you invest in a wedge of Parmigiano Reggiano, be sure to always save the rind. Place it in a plastic bag and pop it into the freezer so you can add it to Italian-inspired soups for flavor.
• Kale: I used Lacinato kale, also known as Tuscan, dinosaur kale or cavolo nero. It has a more tender texture than conventional green kale with a slightly sweeter flavor. It's a great addition to soups because it cooks quickly and is not as chewy as conventional green kale.
• French Bread: I used a small French baguette but almost any crusty bread will work for the Parmesan Toast.
• White Beans: I used canned cannellini beans (white kidney beans) but canned Great Northern beans will also work. Be sure to drain and rinse them as the liquid they're canned in can be quite salty unless they're reduced sodium.

Step-By-Step Instructions:

• Gather and prep all the ingredients.
• Heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven or other heavy soup pot over medium-high heat.
• Add the onion, celery and carrot. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook for 5 to 7 minutes or until the vegetables soften.

• Add the kale in batches and cook until it wilts.
• Add the garlic and cook briefly, 10 for 15 seconds or until fragrant.

• Add the chicken broth and bring it to a boil.
• Add the bay leaves, crushed red pepper flakes, cannellini beans and a wedge from Parmigiano-Reggiano.

• Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Add lemon juice to taste along with salt and black pepper to taste.

• While the soup is simmering, preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Cut the baguette on the bias (diagonally) into ½-inch slices. Place on the prepared baking sheet.
• Combine the garlic and olive oil in a small bowl. Brush over the bread slices and sprinkle with freshly ground black pepper.
• Top with even amounts of Parmigiano Reggiano, Grana Padano or Parmesan cheese.
• Place in the oven and bake for 5-7 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the bread is crispy.

• Serve the White Bean and Kale Soup in bowls sprinkled with a little cheese and Parmesan Toast!

Chef Tip for De-Stemming Kale:

• You always want to remove the stems from kale as they can be pretty tough. They're very easy to remove! Compost them or serve them to the chickens if you keep chickens.
  • Hold the stem end in one hand.
  • Gather the leaves between the thumb and forefinger of your other hand.
  • Pull back and away along the stem in one motion, applying even pressure to strip the leaves from both sides.

• Simply chop or slice and the kale is ready for soup!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Storage:

• Store the white bean kale soup in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.
• Freeze in containers as desired for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator or microwave then reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.

Serve with:

• Spinach Artichoke Squares
• Zucchini Ricotta Fritters
• Asparagus Tart with Prosciutto and Fontina
• Tomato Ricotta Tart with Basil Pesto
• Antipasto Pasta Salad with Parmesan Herb Vinaigrette
• Pasta Salad with Tomatoes, Mozzarella and Pepperoni
• Easy Fresh Tomato Salad

More great healthy bean soup recipes you'll love!

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