1. Home
  2. Dishes
  3. Creamy Bean Bacon

White Bean Bacon Soup

Category: Dinner Ideas That Actually Work

Brown bacon, soften veggies, toss in beans and seasoning, blend a bit for creaminess, then simmer everything for 15 minutes. Done in under 40 minutes!
Pin Share Send Print Go to Recipe
Clare Recipes
Updated on Tue, 27 May 2025 11:46:52 GMT
Creamy White Bean and Bacon Dinner Save
Creamy White Bean and Bacon Dinner | recipesclare.com

Spoonfuls of White Bean Soup with Bacon give you creamy beans, sizzling bacon, and soft veggies swimming in a cozy, tasty broth. With just a handful of basics, you end up with a feel-good dinner that’s spot-on for those cold nights or anytime you just want some belly-warming comfort.

I pulled this together during a freezing snap when all I craved was something cozy. The smoky touch from the bacon fills the whole pot, and the beans turn everything velvety—seriously, you won’t forget it.

Irresistible Ingredients

  • Bacon: Go for the thick slices—they bring big flavor and bite
  • White beans: Cannellinis blend right in for ultra creaminess
  • Fresh veggies: They start things off with lots of flavor
  • Herbs and spices: Kick in some complex, deep taste
  • Chicken broth: Low-salt keeps you in charge
  • Half and half: Turns the soup extra silky

Tasty Prep Steps

Soup Assembly:
Slowly stir everything together. Let it cook until veggies are soft. Finish with cream at the end. Taste and fix seasoning however you like.
Bean Tricks:
Rinse beans really well. Blend part of them for a smooth soup, and toss the rest in whole for chunkiness. Season while you go.
Starting Off:
Cook bacon until crispy first. Save some bacon bits for topping. Use that bacon fat to sauté your veggies for extra flavor at the base.
White Bean Soup with Bacon Bowl Save
White Bean Soup with Bacon Bowl | recipesclare.com

My nonna always tucked away leftover bacon grease to fry up garlic bread—it takes the whole meal up a notch you can taste.

Winning Sides

Tear into a loaf of crusty bread for dunking, add a sprinkle of chopped herbs, and pile on any extra crunchy bacon. Pair it all with a simple lemon-dressed salad to cut through the richness.

Creative Tweaks

Switch up the beans, toss in spinach or kale for more greens, or stir in some Italian sausage to make things heartier. Going meatless? Smoked paprika brings all the flavor without the bacon.

Keeping It Fresh

Stash leftovers in a tightly closed container in the fridge for up to four days. You can freeze it for three months with no problem. Warm it up gently and add a splash of broth if it’s too thick.

This bowl of White Bean Soup is my go-to comfort. The way the scent fills the kitchen and brings everyone running to the table really makes it the heart of homemade meals.

Simple White Bean Bacon Soup Save
Simple White Bean Bacon Soup | recipesclare.com

Recipe FAQs

→ Can I swap in dried beans?
Absolutely, just cook them first. Use around 4 cups of cooked beans instead of canned.
→ How to make it thicker?
Blend extra beans with some half-and-half or mix up a cornstarch slurry for thickness.
→ Is it okay to freeze this meal?
Yep! Freeze it before adding cream. Stir in the dairy after reheating.
→ What's a half-and-half substitute?
Use heavy cream for extra richness, or whole milk for a lighter touch.
→ Can I go vegetarian?
Yes! Skip bacon and use veggie broth. For smoky depth, try smoked paprika.

Creamy Bean Bacon

Cozy up with this creamy, herby white bean and bacon soup full of fresh veggies and a rich broth.

Preparation Time
15 min
Cooking Time
20 min
Total Time
35 min

Category: Main Dishes

Skill Level: Intermediate

Cuisine Type: American

Makes: 6 Serves (6 bowls)

Dietary Preferences: Gluten-Free

Ingredients

→ Base

01 4 thick slices of bacon (or 6 regular ones), diced
02 1 medium onion, chopped small
03 2 celery stalks, thinly sliced
04 3 big carrots, cut into rounds
05 4 garlic cloves, minced finely

→ Seasonings

06 1 teaspoon oregano, dried
07 1 teaspoon thyme, dried
08 1 teaspoon salt
09 1 teaspoon parsley, dried
10 ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
11 ¼ teaspoon paprika
12 ¼ teaspoon black pepper

→ Liquid and Dairy

13 2 cans of white kidney beans (19 oz each)
14 5 cups chicken stock (low salt preferred)
15 ¾ cup half-and-half
16 ¼ cup Parmesan, grated fresh
17 A handful of spinach or parsley for topping (optional)

Steps

Step 01

In a Dutch oven, fry the bacon pieces until they’re crunchy. Scoop out the bacon and leave the fat in the pan.

Step 02

In the same pot, sauté the onion, carrots, and celery in the bacon drippings for about 4 or 5 minutes until the onion looks soft. If it’s too greasy, you can remove some of the fat.

Step 03

Toss in all the spices and garlic, giving it a quick stir for a minute to bring out the flavors.

Step 04

Rinse the beans. Blend ¾ cup of them with the half-and-half until it’s smooth. Add the whole beans, bean mixture, bacon, and chicken broth into the pot.

Step 05

Cover it up and let it simmer 10-15 minutes until the veggies are tender. Stir in Parmesan and toss in spinach or parsley if using.

Helpful Notes

  1. Want it thicker? Mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water or cream and add to the soup while it’s simmering.

Required Tools

  • Dutch oven or large soup pot
  • A blender
  • Fine sieve
  • Spoon with slots

Allergen Info

Check each ingredient for potential allergens and seek medical advice if unsure.
  • Includes dairy