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Creamy White Bean and Ham Soup

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A cozy and comforting homemade soup featuring creamy white beans, smoky ham, and fresh herbs, perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups dried navy beans or cannellini beans, soaked overnight (or 3 cans white beans, rinsed and drained)
  • 1 large smoked ham bone with some meat left on it
  • 1 cup diced cooked ham (leftover ham works perfectly)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
  • 2 stalks celery, diced
  • 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
  • 3 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • ½ cup heavy cream or half-and-half (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. If using dried beans, soak them overnight in plenty of cold water. Drain and rinse before cooking.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add chopped onions, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5-7 minutes until softened and fragrant, stirring occasionally. Add garlic and cook for another 1 minute.
  3. Place the ham bone in the pot with the sautéed vegetables. Pour in 6 cups of chicken broth. Add fresh rosemary, thyme, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer gently for 1 hour.
  4. Add soaked and drained beans to the pot. Simmer uncovered for about 1 hour or until beans are tender, stirring occasionally and adding water if needed to keep beans covered.
  5. Carefully remove the ham bone and herb sprigs. Pick off any remaining meat from the bone and chop finely. Return meat to the pot.
  6. Using an immersion blender, puree about one-third of the soup in the pot to thicken the broth and create a creamy texture. If using a regular blender, blend in batches and return to pot.
  7. Stir in diced ham and heavy cream or half-and-half (if using). Heat gently for 5-7 minutes without boiling. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  8. Stir in chopped fresh parsley just before serving.

Notes

If the soup gets too thick, add a splash of broth or water to loosen it. Avoid boiling after adding cream to prevent curdling. Fresh herbs like rosemary and thyme add depth and brightness. For a dairy-free version, omit cream or substitute with coconut milk or cashew cream. Canned beans can be used for a shortcut by adding them in the last 20 minutes of cooking.

Nutrition

Keywords: white bean soup, ham soup, creamy soup, comfort food, easy soup recipe, homemade soup, leftover ham recipe

Find it online: https://evabake.com/creamy-white-bean-and-ham-soup-recipe-easy-homemade-comfort-meal/