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Creamy Cannellini Bean and Spinach Soup with Lemon-Garlic Breadcrumbs

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Creamy Cannellini Bean and Spinach Soup with Lemon-Garlic Breadcrumbs is a nourishing, velvety vegetarian soup that’s full of flavor and fiber. Blended cannellini beans create a rich texture without cream, while fresh spinach and lemon-garlic breadcrumbs add brightness and crunch. This easy weeknight soup is ready in 30 minutes and perfect for lunch or dinner.

Ingredients

  • For the soup:
  • 2 cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed (or 3 cups cooked beans)
  • 4 cups fresh spinach
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Crushed red pepper (optional)
  • For the lemon-garlic breadcrumbs:
  • 1 cup day-old bread, crumbled (or ¾ cup plain breadcrumbs)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • Pinch of crushed red pepper (optional)

Instructions

  1. In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté diced onion until translucent, about 5 minutes.
  2. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
  3. Stir in cannellini beans and pour in the vegetable broth. Simmer for 10 minutes.
  4. Add fresh spinach and cook until wilted.
  5. Use an immersion blender (or a regular blender in batches) to puree the soup until smooth and creamy. Season with salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes.
  6. To make the breadcrumbs:
  7. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.
  8. Add garlic and sauté until lightly golden.
  9. Stir in breadcrumbs or crumbled bread and toast until crispy.
  10. Finish with lemon zest and a pinch of crushed red pepper.
  11. Serve soup hot, topped generously with lemon-garlic breadcrumbs.

Notes

  • Add a splash of lemon juice to the soup for extra brightness.
  • Use kale, chard, or arugula in place of spinach.
  • For added creaminess, blend in tahini, cashew cream, or coconut milk.
  • To make it heartier, stir in cooked quinoa, farro, or pasta.
  • Store breadcrumbs separately to maintain crisp texture.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookedbymaya.com/creamy-cannellini-bean-and-spinach-soup-with-lemon-garlic-breadcrumbs/