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Ready in just 30 minutes, this Tuscan soup with white beans has a rich savory flavor thanks to smoked paprika and fennel.
There’s nothing we love more than trying to come up with a way to use the ingredients we have on hand or see at our local market! This Tuscan soup was inspired by some greens from a local food delivery, combined with the memory of a soup made by a good friend a while back. It turned out so delicious that we had to make it again immediately. The combination of hearty, tangy broth and garlicky white beans make it a recipe we repeat again and again around here. Plus, people tell us it tastes like pizza! (We agree.)
More great bean soups? Try Cozy White Bean Soup.
Key ingredients in this Tuscan soup
This Tuscan soup is over the top delicious. In fact, I pulled out the superlatives tasting this Tuscan bean soup (“this is the best soup…ever!”). Some people tell us is tastes like liquid pizza! Here are a few of the key ingredients that make the magic:
- San Marzano tomatoes: San Marzano tomatoes are a variety of tomato that’s grown in Italy. They’re now pretty readily available canned in most stores in the US.
- Fresh fennel: We love the subtle hearty flavor it gives here. It doesn’t have any of the licorice flavor that raw fennel has. If you don’t think you like fennel based on the raw variety, give this cooked fennel a chance!
- Smoked paprika: The smoked paprika in this Tuscan bean soup makes a huge difference to the final flavor of this dish. You only need the tiniest amount to achieve a slightly smoky, umami flavor. If you don’t have any on hand, you can use regular paprika, but the final flavor will not be the same. It’s worth buying some smoked paprika for this Tuscan soup: and you can use it in so many more recipes (see below).
How to eat more greens: Tuscan soup!
This Tuscan soup is super nutritious, especially since it’s loaded with dark leafy greens. This is one of our favorite ways to eat greens, and we recommend this soup often. Because the cooked greens easily take on the flavor of the soup, you feel like you’re eating pizza when you’re really eating kale or chard! It’s a magic tip, in our house.
When making this soup, feel free to use whatever leafy greens you have on hand. Heartier greens like kale, collards, or Swiss chard work wonderfully here. But adding a few handfuls of baby spinach leaves during the last few minutes of cooking will also work. Serve this Tuscan bean soup with homemade focaccia bread, multigrain bread or sourdough bread if you have extra time on your hands, or pair it with a simple side salad.
Related: 10 Romantic Dinner Recipes
More smoked paprika recipes
Did you buy some smoked paprika for this Tuscan bean soup and not sure how to use it up? Here are some smoked paprika recipes that use it. We use it all the time in our recipes, since it adds an irresistible smoky undertone!
- Make up a festive Spanish Paella
- Cook a pot of Vegetarian Split Pea Soup
- Use it for seasoning in Classic Shrimp Fajitas
- Make deliciously meatless Vegan Walnut Taco Meat
- Mix up a batch of Smoky Button Mushrooms
- Try it in Homemade Ketchup
This Tuscan soup recipe is…
This Tuscan soup is vegetarian, gluten-free, vegan, plant-based, and dairy free.
Related: Try using our Homemade Vegetable Broth for this recipe!
Tuscan Soup with White Beans
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 to 8 1x
Description
Ready in just 30 minutes, this Tuscan bean soup has a rich umami flavor thanks to the addition of smoked paprika and fennel.
Ingredients
- 1 bulb fennel
- 2 bunches Tuscan kale or other dark leafy greens (Swiss chard, spinach, mustard greens)
- 2 15-ounce cans cannellini beans
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 28-ounce cans diced tomatoes (San Marzano, if possible)
- 4 cups vegetable broth (or canned broth)
- 2 cups water
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- Pecorino cheese to garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Chop the fennel bulb (reserve some sprigs for a garnish). Wash and roughly chop the kale. Drain and rinse the cannellini beans.
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium high heat, then sauté the fennel for 5 minutes.
- Add the canned tomatoes with their juices and simmer for 8 minutes.
- Add the vegetable broth, water and cannellini beans. Bring to a boil.
- Reduce to a simmer and add the red pepper flakes, dried basil, smoked paprika, and kosher salt.
- Add the kale and simmer until tender, about 5 minutes. Serve garnished with grated Pecorino cheese and fennel sprigs. Store refrigerated for 3 days or frozen up to 3 months.
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
This soup is simple and excellent flavor!
So, I halved this recipe because it seemed like too much for one person, but I messed up and forgot to also half the spices…. heh my mouth was feeling prettttty spicy, but this was actually SUPER delicious. I used really generous 1/2teaspoons too LOL. I will be making this on the regular with the right amount of crushed red pepper for my ratio. Loved the fennel and Swiss chard!
I also garnished my bowl with a dollop of fresh ricotta, and a side of crusty bread, which helped me out with my spicy mouth. It was very filling and simple! Thanks for the recipe :)
haha! Glad you enjoyed :)
This soup is so flavorful. The San Marzano tomatoes are a must but the fennel adds such a nice note, I almost wanted more. Don’t skip the red pepper flakes, they add a very subtle and needed spice.
I am a huge soup eater! I am always looking for a soup FULL of veggies with a wonderful taste… but they always seem to fall short from my expectations. I have to say this recipe is exactly what I have been looking for. It was super simple, had great ingredients and was quick! I will be for sure making this again this month or maybe even next week! Thank you for this wonderful recipe!
Good base recipe, but very bland. Next time, I will add onion, garlic, a piece or parmesan crust, and maybe some kind of meat. It really lacks depth.
Thanks for making! The Pecorino cheese really adds here. Also fire roasted or San Marzano tomatoes are key, what brand of tomatoes did you use? You included the smoked paprika as well?
I made this soup last night for dinner. It was simple and delicious.
So thrilled you enjoyed it! Thank you for trying it out.
Thank you for sharing the great soup recipes
You’re welcome!
This soup was delicious! The second night we added leftover veggies. We like the broth so much that I plan to use it as a base for other soups. I have some frozen scallops in the freezer and husband is begging me to make a seafood chowder using your recipe!
So glad you enjoyed it! Let us know how the chowder turns out :)
This soup is absolutely amazing !!
Can this be frozen? Freezing suggestions would be helpful to all recipes.
Yes, you can freeze it! We’ve updated the recipe accordingly.
I like the fennel in this. But I omitted the smoked paprika and added a lot of minced garlic. I also used escarole instead of kale. I guess I made something more traditionally Italian!
I made this soup and it is delicious!!! I will make it again and again.
When do you add the fennel?!?!? You only mentioned it as garnish at the end, but the recipe requires an entire bulb! Help – making this as we speak!
Hi! You saute it in step 2!
First time trying a recipe with fennel and Swiss chard! I normally won’t eat anything with cooked tomatoes but it looked so good and healthy I just had to try it! It was AMAZING! I can’t wait to try more of your recipes!
So glad you enjoyed it!
Found the tomatoes overpowered the soup. Used fennel and sauteed onion and garlic
This was delicious! Had some fennel and kale from my CSA and wanted to do something different. Followed the recipe as is and everyone chowed! Thank you.
This is AMAZING!!! SO DELICIOUS! THANK YOU! 😋🍴😋 I have a pic of your tuscan soup that looks pretty and yummy! I’d add it to this post if I could!
So glad you enjoyed! It’s a favorite!
If you’re interested, we have a Facebook group where you can share: https://www.facebook.com/groups/193375798111474
Can I make this without the fennel? I’m not a huge fan of that flavor.
Yes, you could make it with onion instead.
Amazing soup! Easy to make and so delicious!
Looks great! What are the macos on this?
Nutritional info is added!
Wow! Your beautiful photo caught my attention but the taste of this outstanding soup will keep me returning to your website for many more recipes. Thank you!
:) So glad you enjoyed!
Do you ever make this up ahead of time? I was contemplating making in the morning, then reheating once I get home from work?
Yes, this one reheats well!
Yes, you can definitely make this ahead of time and refrigerate, then reheat. The flavors taste even better!
Would collard greens be okay in this recipe or will they be too bitter?
They should work, but might need just a little more time to get tender!
I made this recipe the other night and my family just absolutely loved it. My one-year old can be a bit of a picky eater and I was a little hesitant to give her some due to the red pepper flakes, but she ate it all up! And for those of y’all in the Tennessee region (especially new moms), I’ve been using Carrot Krate ever since Avie was born and have not been disappointed. Fresh, organic food delivered right to my front door!
This is really good! Thank you.
Can’t wait to try this tonight!
Made this over the weekend for a Godfather marathon, everyone was supposed to bring an Italian dish, it was gone by the first credits rolled!
Awesome! Any other creative recipes for the party?
Made this soup tonight and it was delicious. A nice keeper in the recipe folder. Didn’t use the cheese because it is not vegetarian due to the animal rennet. But loved the soup. Thank you!!!!
Thanks for the recipe, I have made this a couple of times and have enjoyed it every time! Last time, I added balsamic vinegar, garlic, onions, and celery and it was absolutely delicious… As someone just learning how to cook, I really appreciate that you guys have been offering up healthy, straight forward recipes, I’ve really enjoyed your blog.
This sounds absolutely wonderful! It’s actually cold here in San Diego today, I can’t think of anything better to warm up with, thanks for sharing!
L’hai preparata molto bene, brava ♥ ciao
What a delicious soup! After a week of cooking so-so recipes (none of which were from this site), your soup made my night. Thanks for sharing! Your blog is a slam-dunk source for nutritious veggie meals (and especially soups).
I loved this soup. It was very delicious and healthy. I didn’t alter the receipe other than halving it as I have a small family, and it turned out great! Thanks!
This looks gorgeous. Super nutritious to boot! :)
Love it!
I made your soup tonight!! So simple and divine. And yes, the San Marzano tomatoes are key.
http://figsinmybelly.blogspot.com/2011/03/italian-white-bean-soup.html
I want to make your tamale pie next. Keep up the great recipes!
So glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for trying it :)
This looks amazing! SO glad I found you blog. Love the addition of fennel and the soy sauce suggestion. San Marzanos are def the best. Liquid pizza, indeed!
what is the soy sauce suggestion?
Looks so healthy and delicious !
Mmmmmm.. this looks so good, I have to make it!
This photograph is just so beautiful. Makes me want to dig right in!
That look so fresh soup and thaks for share your recipe, wanna be try it.
farida
http://soupfresh.blogspot.com