Zuppa di Fagioli-Italian Bean Soup with Cheesy Crostini
A healthy Italian Bean Soup: Zuppa di Fagioli is full of healthy vegetables and beans, which makes for the most perfect winter soup. The garlic and cheese crostini is just perfect to serve with this hearty soup!
Servings: 4
Ingredients
- SOUP
- 5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil plus more for drizzling
- 3 garlic smashed
- 1 small onion chopped
- 4 carrots peeled and chopped
- 3 celery stalks chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes or more to taste
- 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh rosemary
- 1 can chopped tomatoes I used 14 1/2 oz organic diced tomatoes
- 2 15 oz. cans cannelini beans rinsed and drained
- 2 15 oz. cans red kidney beans rinsed and drained
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 piece Parmeggiano Reggiano rind
- salt to taste
- 1 tablespoon vegetable base I use Better than Bouillon
- 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano
- 1 bunch kale stems and ribs discarded leaves chopped
- if you are adding pasta 2 cups shell or ditalini pasta
- Freshly ground pepper
- CROSTINI
- 1 loaf of Italian or French bread
- 3 cloves chopped garlic
- 6 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Gouda Asiago or mozzarella is also fine
Instructions
- SOUP
- Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the garlic, onion, carrots, celery, red pepper flakes, and cook 2 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes and cook 2 more minutes; season with salt. Add 3 quarts water, the bay leaves and Parmigiano Reggiano rind. If you don't have the cheese rind, the soup will still turn out fine! Don't sweat it! Cover and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 45 minutes with pot slightly covered.
- Uncover the pot and raise the heat to medium. Add the beans and let it simmer for about 15 minutes. If you are adding pasta to the soup, add it now with the kale. If you are not adding pasta, just add the kale and cook stirring occasionally until the leaves are tender (about 7-10 minutes)
- Remove the bay leaves and the cheese rind. Serve the soup in the bowls and add the grated Parmigiano Reggiano and a drizzle of olive oil. Salt and pepper to taste.
- FOR THE CROSTINI
- Slice the loaf in half and then slice it crosswise. Drizzle the bread with olive oil and some chopped garlic. I didn’t really measure the olive oil. You don’t want the bread drenched, just a nice coating of olive oil. Sprinkle the 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese and 1/2 cup shredded Gouda. Broil on top rack of oven for about 3-5 minutes. Keep a CLOSE eye on it because it will be ready really quickly.