White Bean and Parmesan Soup with Pesto

Submitted by Diana Adcock

"This soup is an all time family favorite-light, fresh tasting yet filling. Since I'm a garlic freak I like to serve this with a Caesar Salad and hot rolls."

 

• Ready In: 40mins
• Ingredients: 12
• Serves: 4-6

ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion, cut into 16 wedges
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 carrots, cut into 2 inch matchsticks
• 3 stalks celery, sliced 1/4 inch thick
• 1⁄4 lb prosciutto, cut into thin strips
• 4 cups reduced-sodium fat-free chicken broth
• 2 medium tomatoes, diced
• 2 (15 ounce) cans cannellini beans, drained
• 1⁄2 cup freshly grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese
• fresh ground salt & pepper
• pesto sauce, and additional cheese for sprinkling

directions

1. In a large stock pot heat oil over medium heat and add garlic.
2. Saute for 2 minutes stirring constantly.
3. Add the onions, carrots, celery and prosciutto and cook for another 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
4. Stir in tomatoes and broth.
5. Bring soup to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes.
6. Stir in beans and simmer for another 5 minutes.
7. Remove from heat.
8. Pour soup into a serving bowl and add the cheese.
9. Serve immediately.
10. Offer additional cheese and pesto at the table.
11. ***Donot add the cheese in the soup pot or it WILL stick to the sides.

Reviews

[spatchcock]

Oh my gosh, Di, I'm so glad you suggested this. It was a hit: I left out the prosciutto because I don't eat meat, and I left out the celery because I don't care for it. Otherwise I just added a few more carrots to make up for the loss and left everything else the same! It was a great light soup, very pretty in white serving bowls, and had both an unusual and wonderful taste. Thanks!!!

 

[noway]

Wonderful soup! I used a leek instead of onion, otherwise made as stated. The only thing I would change is to simmer the veggies longer than the instructions said until they are soft, just personal preference. Thanks for a unique, delicious recipe that we will enjoy again :) Made for PAC Spring 2011.

 

[DSK7291]

My family enjoyed this. I substituted ground sausage for the prosciutto because I didn't have it. I also left out the celery because we didn't have any. I added a handful of fresh basil. I'll definitely make this again as it was so easy and fast.