White Bean Soup with Escarole

  Soups

This escarole and bean soup has become a favorite because it uses kitchen staples, it's packed with healthy ingredients and is a cinch to prepare. If I can't find escarole, I sub fresh spinach at the very end of cooking.

White Bean Soup with Escarole

Average Rating: 5

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 15 min. Cook: 35 min.
YIELD: 8 servings (2 quarts).

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 5 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) reduced-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 cup uncooked whole wheat orzo pasta
  • 1 bunch escarole or spinach, coarsely chopped (about 8 cups)
  • 1 can (15 ounces) cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  • 1. In a Dutch oven, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; cook and stir until tender. Add broth, tomatoes, Italian seasoning and pepper flakes; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 15 minutes.
  • 2. Stir in orzo and escarole. Return to a boil; cook 12-14 minutes or until orzo is tender. Add beans; heat through, stirring occasionally. Sprinkle servings with cheese.
    Freeze option:
    Freeze cooled soup in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through in a saucepan, stirring occasionally and adding a little broth if necessary.

Nutrition Facts

1 cup soup with 1-1/2 teaspoons cheese: 174 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 2mg cholesterol, 572mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 8g fiber), 9g protein.
Diabetic Exchanges:
1 starch, 1 lean meat, 1 vegetable, 1/2 fat.

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