Tuscan Bean Soup (America's Test Kitchen) Recipe

Name: Tuscan Bean Soup (America's Test Kitchen)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: table salt; 1 lb dried cannellini beans, rinsed and picked over (about 2 cups); 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling; 6 ounces pancetta, cut into 1/4-inch pieces; 1 large onion, chopped medium (about 1 1/2 cups); 2 medium celery ribs, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (about 3/4 cup); 2 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces (about 1 cup); 8 medium garlic cloves, peeled and crushed; 4 cups low sodium chicken broth; 3 cups water; 2 bay leaves; 1 lb kale (about 8 cups loosely packed) or 1 lb collard greens, stems trimmed and leaves chopped into 1-inch pieces (about 8 cups loosely packed); 1 (14 1/2 ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained and rinsed; 1 sprig fresh rosemary; ground black pepper; 8 slices country white bread, each 1 1/4 inches thick, broiled until golden brown on both sides and rubbed with garlic clove (optional)

Servings: persons

table salt
1 lb dried cannellini beans, rinsed and picked over (about 2 cups)
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
6 ounces pancetta, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
1 large onion, chopped medium (about 1 1/2 cups)
2 medium celery ribs, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (about 3/4 cup)
2 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces (about 1 cup)
8 medium garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
4 cups low sodium chicken broth
3 cups water
2 bay leaves
1 lb kale (about 8 cups loosely packed) or 1 lb collard greens, stems trimmed and leaves chopped into 1-inch pieces (about 8 cups loosely packed)
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained and rinsed
1 sprig fresh rosemary
ground black pepper
8 slices country white bread, each 1 1/4 inches thick, broiled until golden brown on both sides and rubbed with garlic clove (optional)

1
Add 3 tbsp table salt to 4 qt water and stir until dissolved.
2
Add the picked over, rinsed beans and leave them to soak overnight (8 to 24 hours) at room temperature.
3
In a large Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat until it smokes.
4
Add pancetta and cook 6-10 minutes, until the edges are crisp and browned.
5
Add onion, celery and carrots.
6
Cook until very soft and a little browned, about 15 minutes.
7
Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minutes.
8
Drain water from beans and discard.
9
Rinse well and add beans to the pot.
10
Add broth, water and bay leaves.
11
Bring to a simmer, then cover and transfer to a preheated 250F oven.
12
Let cook 45-60 minutes.
13
Add kale.
14
Drain and rinse tomatoes, then add those to the pot as well.
15
Re-cover and cook until beans are tender, about another 30 minutes.
16
Add rosemary sprig and submerge it in the soup.
17
Let stand off heat for 15 minutes, then remove and discard rosemary and bay leaves.
18
Drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil and serve with garlic toasts.

995

kcal

Calories

Fat

118

Carbs

104

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Feel free to swap in similar ingredients you already have on hand and adjust seasoning to taste.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

Saved locally in your browser — visible only to you.

How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 16 ingredients. The key ingredients include: table salt, 1 lb dried cannellini beans, rinsed and picked over (about 2 cups), 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling, 6 ounces pancetta, cut into 1/4-inch pieces, and more.

Yes, Tuscan Bean Soup (America's Test Kitchen) falls under the Soups & Stews category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Tuscan Bean Soup (America's Test Kitchen)

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions