Brrr! Feeling chilly? Let’s warm things up with a big, cozy bowl of spinach soup! 🥣✨ It’s packed with tender white beans, fresh spinach, and savory mushrooms—aka pure comfort in every spoonful. Whether you’re keeping it veggie or adding a little extra protein, this soup’s got your back. So grab a spoon and get ready for some serious deliciousness! 💚😋
Why You'll Love This Spinach Soup
Nothing beats a steaming bowl of homemade soup on a cold day. This white bean and spinach soup is packed with nutrients, easy to make, and can be customized to fit any dietary preference. The combination of creamy beans, earthy mushrooms, and bright spinach creates a perfectly balanced dish that's both healthy and satisfying.
Best of all? It comes together in just 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights when you need something quick and nourishing.
What Makes This Recipe Special
This isn't just any ordinary spinach soup - it's a wholesome blend that brings together the best of winter vegetables with protein-rich beans. The recipe is naturally vegetarian but can easily accommodate meat lovers with simple add-ins like Italian sausage or turkey meatballs.
The soup base is rich and flavorful, letting you create restaurant-quality results right in your own kitchen. Plus, it's perfect for meal prep and actually tastes even better the next day!
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Ingredients
Base Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
- 2 medium potatoes, cubed (optional)
- 2 (15 oz) cans white beans, drained and rinsed
- 8 cups vegetable or chicken broth
- 1 lb fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream or coconut cream
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Optional Add-ins
Choose one of these to make the soup even heartier:
- 1 lb Italian sausage, removed from casing
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 cup red lentils
- 2 cups cauliflower florets
Instructions
1. Prep Your Ingredients
- Dice the onion, carrots, and celery
- Mince the garlic
- Slice the mushrooms
- Roughly chop the spinach
- If using potatoes, cut them into ½-inch cubes
2. Start the Soup Base
- Heat olive oil in your pot over medium heat
- Add onion, garlic, carrots, and celery
- Cook until vegetables soften (5-7 minutes)
- Add mushrooms and cook until they release their moisture
3. Build the Soup
- Add potatoes (if using) and white beans
- Pour in the broth
- Add thyme and bay leaves
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat
- Simmer for 15 minutes or until potatoes are tender
4. Finish and Serve
- Add spinach in batches, stirring until wilted
- Pour in cream and stir to combine
- Season with salt and pepper
- If using, stir in Parmesan cheese
- Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients
Prepared ingredients neatly arranged on a cutting board, ready for cooking.
- Step 2: Start the Soup Base
Vegetables softening in a pot, forming the flavorful base of the soup.
- Step 3: Build the Soup
Soup simmering with vegetables, beans, and herbs, developing deep flavors.
- Step 4: Finish and Serve
Final ingredients incorporated, completing the creamy and hearty soup.
Variations
Vegetarian Version
- Use vegetable broth
- Skip the optional meat add-ins
- Add extra mushrooms for more umami flavor
Vegan Version
- Replace cream with coconut cream
- Skip the Parmesan cheese
- Use nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor
Meat Lover's Version
- Use chicken broth for extra flavor
- Add Italian sausage or turkey
- Brown meat before starting the soup base
Equipment
- Colander (for rinsing beans)
- Large soup pot or Dutch oven
- Sharp knife and cutting board
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Can opener
Storage
Refrigerator Storage
- Keep in an airtight container
- Stays fresh for up to 4 days
- Reheat gently on stovetop or microwave
Freezing Instructions
- Thaw overnight in refrigerator
- Freeze without cream for up to 3 months
- Add cream when reheating
Top Tip
- Don't overcook the spinach - add it at the end to keep its bright color
- Blend some white beans for a naturally creamy texture
- Add a splash of lemon juice before serving to brighten flavors
- Use fresh thyme if possible - it makes a big difference
- Season in layers as you cook for better flavor development
FAQ
Why is my bean soup so watery?
Your soup may be watery if you didn't drain and rinse the canned beans well, added too much broth, or didn't let it simmer long enough to reduce. Try blending 1 cup of beans with some broth or mashing some beans against the pot's side to naturally thicken the soup.
How long does homemade spinach soup last in the fridge?
Homemade spinach soup stays fresh for 3-4 days when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. For best results, let it cool completely before storing.
How do you thicken white bean soup?
1- Blend some beans with broth and add back to the soup
2- Let it simmer longer uncovered
3- Add a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with cold water)
4- Mash some beans against the side of the pot while cooking
What does bean soup do to your body?
Bean soup provides fiber for digestive health, protein for muscle maintenance, iron for energy, and complex carbohydrates for sustained energy. It's also rich in vitamins and minerals that support immune function and heart health while helping you feel full longer.
My Go-To Spinach Soup (It Works Every Time!)
Hey there, soup lovers! Let me tell you why this spinach soup is a total game-changer. It’s all about building flavors the right way—starting with a classic mirepoix (yep, just onions, carrots, and celery) to create a rich, flavorful base. Then, by adding each ingredient in the perfect order, we make sure everything turns out just right.
The mix of beans and veggies gives this soup an amazing texture—not too thick, not too thin, just perfectly cozy. So, if you’re looking for a warm, comforting meal for a chilly evening, this one’s a must-try! Save this recipe for later, and let me know in the comments how it turned out.
Oh, and if you're a soup fan like me, don’t miss my Creamy Potato And Cheese Soup Delight—it’s another favorite! 🍲💚
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with this White Bean and Spinach Soup Recipe:
White Bean and Spinach Soup Recipe
Equipment
- Large soup pot (5-6 quart)
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Can opener
- Colander
- Ladle
Ingredients
Base Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
- 2 medium potatoes, cubed (optional)
- 2 (15 oz) cans white beans, drained and rinsed
- 8 cups vegetable/chicken broth
- 1 lb fresh spinach, chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Heat oil in large pot over medium heat
- Sauté onion, garlic, carrots, celery (5-7 min)
- Add mushrooms, cook until softened
- Add potatoes, beans, broth, thyme, bay leaves
- Bring to boil, reduce heat, simmer 15 min
- Add spinach in batches until wilted
- Stir in cream
- Season with salt and pepper
- Add Parmesan if using
Notes
- Drain beans well to prevent watery soup
- Add cream at end to prevent curdling
- Blend some beans for thicker texture
- Don't overcook spinach
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