Creamy Bacon and White Bean Soup

Featured in Hearty Main Courses.

Cozy soup featuring crispy bacon, cannellini beans and fresh vegetables in a rich broth with Parmesan and cream. Ready in 35 minutes.
Casey
Updated on Mon, 20 Jan 2025 20:09:03 GMT
A bowl of creamy white bean soup topped with crispy bacon and parsley, accompanied by slices of bread. Pin it
A bowl of creamy white bean soup topped with crispy bacon and parsley, accompanied by slices of bread. | cookingwithcasey.com

This Creamy Bacon and White Bean Soup warms my kitchen with the most incredible aroma. When bacon meets tender beans and fresh herbs something magical happens. It's become my go to recipe for cozy nights when only a bowl of pure comfort will do.

What Makes This Special

The beauty of this soup lies in its depth of flavor yet simple preparation. That smoky bacon and creamy beans create something truly comforting. Plus it's budget friendly and perfect for meal prep.

Let's Gather Our Ingredients

  • Bacon: Crispy bits add such flavor.
  • Beans: Two cans with liquid for creaminess.
  • Fresh Veggies: Create our flavor base.
  • Stock: Rich savory backbone.
  • Herbs: Fresh rosemary and bay add depth.
  • Cream: Makes everything silky.
  • Seasonings: Balance all the flavors.

Let's Start Cooking

Bacon magic:
Crisp it up save those bits and that flavor.
Build the base:
Soften veggies in bacon goodness.
Add wine:
Scrape up all those tasty bits.
Simmer away:
Let broth beans and herbs work their magic.
Make it creamy:
Finish with cream cheese and bacon.

My Best Tips

That Parmesan rind adds amazing depth. Blend some soup for extra creaminess. Keeps beautifully in the fridge or freezer perfect for busy days.

Mix It Up

Turkey bacon works great for lighter version. Need dairy free? Coconut milk creates lovely creaminess. Vegetarian? Skip bacon add smoked paprika for that smoky note.

Good For You Too

This soup nourishes body and soul. Those beans pack protein garlic boosts immunity and herbs bring their own benefits. Each bowl gives you plenty of nutrition wrapped in pure comfort.

A close-up of a bowl of creamy bean soup topped with pieces of bacon and fresh herbs. Pin it
A close-up of a bowl of creamy bean soup topped with pieces of bacon and fresh herbs. | cookingwithcasey.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I make this soup vegetarian?
Skip bacon and use vegetable stock instead of chicken. Add smoked paprika for smoky flavor. Use more Parmesan or nutritional yeast for umami.
→ How can I thicken the soup?
Blend part of the beans with immersion blender or mash some beans against pot side. Add more cream or cook uncovered longer to reduce.
→ Can I use dried beans instead of canned?
Cook dried cannellini beans separately until tender before adding. About 1 cup dried beans equals two 15 oz cans. Save cooking liquid for extra flavor.
→ What can I substitute for white wine?
Use extra chicken stock with a splash of white wine vinegar or lemon juice for acidity. Apple cider vinegar also works well.
→ How do I store leftovers?
Keep in airtight container in fridge up to 3 days. Freezes well for 3 months. Thin with stock when reheating as soup thickens over time.

Creamy Bacon and White Bean Soup

Rich and hearty soup combining crispy bacon, tender cannellini beans and fresh vegetables in a creamy, velvety broth.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
25 Minutes
Total Time
35 Minutes
By: Casey

Category: Hearty Main Dishes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 6 Servings (6 bowls)

Dietary: Gluten-Free

Ingredients

01 10 strips bacon, diced.
02 2 large shallots, diced small.
03 3 medium carrots, diced small.
04 3 medium celery stalks, diced small.
05 4 garlic cloves, minced.
06 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes.
07 3/4 teaspoon salt.
08 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
09 1/2 cup white wine.
10 4 cups chicken stock.
11 2 cans cannellini beans, undrained.
12 2 sprigs fresh rosemary.
13 1 bay leaf.
14 1 Parmesan rind.
15 1/2 cup heavy cream.
16 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped.
17 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated.

Instructions

Step 01

Cook diced bacon until crispy, remove bacon but keep drippings.

Step 02

Sauté shallots, carrots, celery until soft. Add garlic and seasonings, cook 1 minute.

Step 03

Add wine, scrape pot bottom, reduce wine to 2 tablespoons.

Step 04

Add stock, beans, herbs, Parmesan rind. Bring to boil then simmer covered 15-18 minutes.

Step 05

Remove herbs and rind. Stir in bacon, cream, parsley, cheese. Season to taste.

Step 06

Optional: blend part of soup or mash some beans for thicker texture.

Notes

  1. Use smoked bacon for deeper flavor.
  2. Can substitute wine with stock or vinegar.
  3. Dairy-free option: use coconut milk.
  4. Keeps 3 days refrigerated or 3 months frozen.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large pot.
  • Immersion blender (optional).

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Dairy.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 350
  • Total Fat: 22 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 22 g
  • Protein: 18 g