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Hearty Lentil and White Bean Soup
4.8 from 51 votes

Hearty Lentil and White Bean Soup

Hearty Lentil and White Bean Soup combines tender brown lentils, cannellini beans, and diced tomatoes in a rich chicken stock broth infused with savory bacon, garlic, thyme, and bay leaves. The soup features a balanced texture from soft beans and lentils along with crisp bacon pieces, enlivened with fresh parsley. Simmered gently with Parmesan rinds and a splash of white wine, this soup offers layers of flavor and warmth suitable for a comforting meal.

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
45 mins
Servings: 6 servings (10 cups)
Course: Main Course, Soup

Ingredients

  • 3 lices Bacon diced
  • 1 sweet onion diced
  • 1 carrot peeled and diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 3 thyme sprigs, fresh
  • 2 bay leaf
  • 5 cups chicken stock
  • ½ cup brown lentils
  • ¼ cup dry white wine
  • 2 Parmesan Cheese 3-inch rinds
  • salt Kosher salt and freshly ground
  • black pepper Kosher salt and freshly ground
  • 2 cannellini beans rinsed and drained; 15.5 ounce cans
  • 1 diced tomatoes petite diced; drained; 14.5 ounce can
  • 2 tablespoons parsley chopped fresh leaves

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Heat a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium high heat. Add bacon and cook until brown and crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat, reserving 2 tablespoons in the stockpot; transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate.
  2. Add onion and carrot, and cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in garlic, thyme and bay leaves until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  3. Stir in chicken stock, lentils, wine and Parmesan rinds; season with salt and pepper, to taste. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat and simmer until lentils are almost tender, about 12-15 minutes.
  4. Stir in cannellini beans and tomatoes until lentils are completely tender, about 10-15 minutes more.
  5. Serve immediately with bacon, garnished with parsley, if desired.

Notes

  • Green lentils can replace brown lentils without significant changes to flavor or texture.
  • White wine can be substituted with extra chicken stock for a non-alcoholic version.