We’re making a soup that’ll warm you up, fill you up, and taste great. It’s a twist on a traditional French-style tomato and bean soup. This is the kind of soup that’s perfect for when you want a meal fast, but you don’t want to sacrifice flavor. Pair it with some crusty bread or a slice of quiche if you’re feeling fancy, but the soup itself is the star.
Ingredients
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2 teaspoons olive oil
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1/2 cup chopped onion
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes
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2 cups chicken broth
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1 cup water
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1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
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1 (16-ounce) can butter beans,
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2 cups baby spinach leaves,
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Salt and freshly ground black pepper
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2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
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Directions
Step 1 : Heat Things Up
Take your olive oil and heat it in a large saucepan over medium heat. Once it’s ready, toss in your chopped onion. Let it cook until it gets soft and a little translucent – should take about 3 to 4 minutes. When the onions are almost ready, throw in the minced garlic and cook it for about 30 seconds. Garlic burns quick, so don’t walk away.
Step 2 : Build the Base
Now you add the heavy hitters: the diced tomatoes (don’t drain them, that liquid’s flavor gold), the chicken broth, and water. Toss in the red pepper flakes for a little kick. Stir it all together and crank up the heat. Once it starts boiling, back the heat down to a simmer and let it sit uncovered for about 10 minutes. This is where the flavors start getting cozy.
Step 3 : Add the Beans
Grab your butter beans, which should be rinsed and ready to go. Add them to the pot and let them heat through. This only takes about 5 minutes. These beans add the heartiness and some good texture to the soup, so let them soak up those flavors.
Step 4 : Spinach Time
Time for the greens. Toss in the baby spinach and stir it in. It’ll wilt down in about 1 or 2 minutes. Don’t worry about it looking like a lot at first – spinach is like the Houdini of vegetables, it disappears into the soup.
Step 5 : Season and Serve
Now, taste your soup. This is where you adjust the salt and pepper to your liking. Don’t be shy with the seasoning, you want every bite to pop. Once it’s seasoned to your liking, ladle the soup into bowls and hit each bowl with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
Why This Soup is Perfect
This is the kind of soup that does it all – it’s light enough that you won’t feel sluggish, but filling enough to keep you satisfied. It’s packed with nutrients from the spinach and beans, and the tomatoes give you that rich, savory base without being overwhelming.
The butter beans provide protein without any fuss, and the Parmesan on top ties it all together with just the right amount of umami. Plus, the whole thing takes less than 30 minutes from start to finish, making it ideal for a quick dinner after a long day.
Nutrition Facts
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Fat : 4g
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Calories : 221
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Carbs : 35g
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Protein : 14g
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