Cozy Rosemary White Bean Soup Recipe / Barefoot Contessa Style

Barefoot Contessa rosemary white bean soup embodies rustic Italian countryside comfort that warms souls and satisfies hunger.

Hearty legumes transform into a silky, aromatic dish that whispers tales of Mediterranean kitchens.

Delicate herbs intertwine with creamy beans, creating a symphony of simple yet profound flavors.

Home cooks treasure this unpretentious recipe for its ability to elevate humble ingredients into something extraordinary.

Soft, pillowy white beans absorb rich aromatics, developing depth that feels like a culinary embrace.

Each spoonful promises nourishment and connection to time-honored cooking traditions.

Gathering around the table with this soul-soothing soup promises pure, uncomplicated joy: come hungry and leave fulfilled.

Why Rosemary White Bean Soup Is a Winner

• Infuse with Aromatic Rosemary: This soup transforms simple white beans into a fragrant, elegant dish with fresh rosemary that delivers incredible depth of flavor and a sophisticated herbal essence.
• Creamy Comfort in Minutes: The recipe creates a velvety, smooth soup with minimal effort, turning humble white beans into a luxurious texture that feels like a warm culinary hug without complicated techniques.
• Slow-Cooked Simplicity: By using gentle simmering and patient cooking methods, the recipe develops rich, complex flavors that make an incredibly satisfying meal with minimal active cooking time and maximum deliciousness.
• Versatile Weeknight Wonder: Perfect for busy home cooks, this soup comes together easily, requires basic ingredients, and works wonderfully as a starter, light main course, or comforting meal during chilly evenings.

What Goes Into the White Bean Blend

• Great Northern White Beans: Hearty legumes with creamy texture and protein-rich base for the soup.
• Chicken Stock: Essential liquid component that adds depth and richness to the soup's flavor profile.

• Onions: Foundational vegetable that provides sweet and savory undertones to the soup base.
• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that enhances overall depth and complexity of flavor.
• Rosemary: Fresh herb that contributes a woodsy, piney note and classic Mediterranean essence.
• Bay Leaf: Subtle herb that adds gentle background complexity and traditional soup character.

• Olive Oil: High-quality fat for sautéing vegetables and adding smooth texture.
• Salt: Essential seasoning to enhance and balance the soup's natural flavors.
• Black Pepper: Warm spice that provides gentle heat and rounds out the soup's taste profile.

Making the Best Rosemary Bean Soup

Step 1: Prepare Beans

Grab a medium bowl and submerge white beans completely under water, ensuring at least 1 inch of liquid covering them. Store in refrigerator for 6-8 hours or through the night. Drain water and discard soaking liquid.

Step 2: Create Aromatic Base

• Onions
• Garlic

Sauté onions until translucent and softened, stirring occasionally, about 10-15 minutes. Reduce heat and continue cooking garlic for additional 3 minutes.

Step 3: Combine Soup Components

• Drained white beans
• Whole rosemary branch
• Chicken stock
• Bay leaf

Bring mixture to rolling boil, then reduce heat. Simmer gently for 30-40 minutes until beans become incredibly tender. Check bean consistency and extend cooking time if needed.

Step 4: Remove Herb Stems

Carefully extract rosemary branch and bay leaf from soup mixture. Discard herb stems.

Step 5: Transform Soup Texture

• Food Mill: Pass soup through coarsest blade
• Food Processor: Pulse in batches until coarsely pureed

Return processed soup to original pot.

Step 6: Final Seasoning

Warm soup gently over low heat. Season with salt and black pepper according to personal taste. Serve immediately while hot.

Tips for Creamy Beans Without Cream

• Soak and Save Time: Overnight bean soaking cuts cooking duration and helps beans become tender, making your soup preparation smoother and faster.
• Select Superior Rosemary: Grab fresh rosemary sprigs from your garden or produce section, ensuring maximum aromatic flavor that dried herbs can't match.
• Control Onion Caramelization: Gentle medium-heat cooking transforms onions into sweet, translucent gems that create a rich flavor foundation for your soup.
• Perfect Bean Texture: Soft simmering prevents bean breakdown, maintaining a creamy yet intact consistency throughout your delicious white bean soup.
• Stock Selection Matters: Choose low-sodium chicken or vegetable stock to control salt levels and enhance the soup's natural herb and bean flavors.

How to Store Leftover White Bean Soup

• Airtight Container Method: Seal the soup in a glass or high-quality plastic container with a tight-fitting lid to preserve its robust flavors and prevent absorption of other refrigerator odors. Freshness remains intact for maximum 3 days.
• Freezing Method: Transfer the soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving about an inch of space at the top to allow expansion. Label containers with the date and contents. Freeze up to 3 months for long-term storage, ensuring minimal flavor and texture degradation.
• Portioning Method: Divide the soup into smaller individual serving portions before storing. This technique allows quick reheating of just the amount needed, reduces waste, and maintains the soup's original taste and consistency when thawing and reheating.

Twists on Rosemary White Bean Soup

• Hearty Herb Fusion: Swap rosemary with thyme or sage for a different aromatic profile. Add chopped fresh herbs directly into the soup for enhanced flavor and visual appeal.
• Mediterranean Vegetable Splash: Incorporate diced zucchini, roasted red peppers, and spinach during the simmering process. Finish with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and crumbled feta cheese for a Greek-inspired version.
• Smoky Protein Boost: Blend in crispy pancetta or diced chorizo during the sautéing stage. Stir in shredded rotisserie chicken or cooked sausage pieces before pureeing to create a more substantial meal.
• Creamy Comfort Blend: Stir in a splash of heavy cream or coconut milk after pureeing for a richer, silkier texture. Garnish with crispy pancetta bits and fresh chives to elevate the soup's complexity.

Rosemary White Bean Wrap-Up

Rosemary white bean soup embodies rustic comfort with its Mediterranean charm.

Ina Garten’s recipe transforms simple ingredients into a soul-warming experience.

Creamy textures and aromatic rosemary create a harmonious culinary symphony.

Hearty beans provide robust nutrition and deeply satisfying flavor profiles.

Home kitchens can easily replicate this classic soup with minimal ingredients.

Passionate cooks who appreciate authentic, uncomplicated dishes will adore this recipe – share your culinary adventure, inspire fellow epicureans, and spark conversations about this delightful soup.

Barefoot Contessa Rosemary White Bean Soup Recipe

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• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s rosemary white bean soup delivers rustic Italian comfort with elegant simplicity. Creamy cannellini beans mingle with aromatic herbs, creating a nourishing bowl that whisks you straight to the Tuscan countryside.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 pound (454 grams) dried white cannellini beans
• 2 quarts (1.9 liters) chicken stock
• 4 cups (600 grams) sliced yellow onions (3 onions)

Herbs and Seasonings:

• 1 large branch fresh rosemary (6 to 7 inches)
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Additional Ingredients:

• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) good olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, minced

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Instructions

1. Prepare the white beans by submerging them in cold water, ensuring they are covered by at least 1 inch (2.54 centimeters). Refrigerate for 6 to 8 hours or overnight to soften. Drain and discard the soaking liquid thoroughly.
2. Heat olive oil in a large stockpot over medium temperature. Sauté diced onions until they become translucent and slightly golden, approximately 10 to 15 minutes, stirring intermittently to prevent burning.
3. Introduce minced garlic to the onion mixture, reducing heat to low. Cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes, allowing the garlic to release its aromatic essence without browning.
4. Add the drained white beans to the pot along with fresh rosemary sprig, chicken stock, and bay leaf. Ensure all ingredients are well combined.
5. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then immediately reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Cover the pot and allow the beans to cook for 35 to 45 minutes, stirring occasionally and checking for tenderness.
6. Extract the rosemary sprig and bay leaf from the soup, discarding them completely.
7. Transform the soup’s texture by using a food mill with the coarsest blade or a food processor. Process in small batches if necessary, creating a coarse yet smooth consistency.
8. Return the pureed soup to the stockpot and warm gently over low heat. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance the flavors.
9. Ladle the hot soup into serving bowls, ensuring each portion is heated thoroughly. Serve immediately for optimal taste and temperature.

Notes

• Preserve the delicate rosemary flavor by removing the branch before blending, ensuring a smooth texture without woody pieces.
• Soften beans thoroughly by soaking them overnight in cold water, dramatically reducing cooking time and improving digestibility.
• Caramelize onions slowly on medium heat to unlock their natural sweetness without burning, creating a rich foundational taste.
• Control the cooking temperature by switching to a gentle simmer after initial boiling, protecting the beans’ integrity and soup’s consistency.
• Select fresh, high-quality rosemary for maximum aromatic impact, transforming the soup from ordinary to extraordinary.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 278 kcal
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 8 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg