This White Bean Pesto Soup is made with just 7 simple ingredients and ready in less than 20 minutes! A quick, easy, and delicious dinner recipe sure to please!
I have something to admit….embarrassing as it may be. I HATE driving in snow. And when I say HATE….I mean I avoid it at all costs! I would rather cancel plans – no matter how exciting the plans may be – than risk having to get behind the wheel when the roads are slippery (or even when they’re not!) I’m a wimp!! And I guess if I had grown up someplace where it never snows, the fact that I hate driving in it wouldn’t really matter. In fact, it would almost be expected! But that’s not the case. I grew up in Wisconsin!
I blame it on the fact that, in high school, the car I drove was a GIANT Chevy Caprice station wagon with a rear-facing third row and rear wheel drive. Rear wheel drive, in case you are wondering, is NOT awesome in snow. I can recall numerous *scary* driving moments, like when the car spun around on my way to a stop sign or when I fishtailed down the windy road home or when I got stuck in a ditch and had to rely on a random stranger to pull me out with chains he had in the back of his truck….. I’m pretty sure I was traumatized for life!
Which is why, when Jorden was home for President’s Day yesterday, and it was snowing like crazy, and he wanted to go out for lunch, my immediate reaction was, “NO WAY!!” My plans for the day were to avoid driving at all costs….(clearly!) But….because I didn’t want to ruin his “day off” fun, and because I didn’t want to listen to his endless comments about my extreme level of wimpiness, I said yes. As long as he was driving….(which, by the way, is still incredibly uncomfortable for me!)
White Bean Pesto Soup
On our way there, the roads were okay….slippery, yes, but not treacherous. We went to our favorite Mexican restaurant and had a great meal while Nora sang and danced and entertained the tables around us. As we were leaving, I noticed that the roads seemed to be just a little more slippery, and the cars next to us seemed to be having a harder time staying in their lane. Luckily, we were not TOO far from home.
But. On the way home, we made a fatal error. We decided to stop at Target for a few essentials….and by the time we were done with our short little stop, the snow was coming down like crazy. And the roads were treacherous. Even for Jorden, who doesn’t mind driving in snow. And as we white knuckled it home, I knew that as delicious as lunch may have been, I would have been equally satisfied with a big, warm bowl of this White Bean Pesto Soup. So flavorful, so satisfying, and so very safe….just the way lunch (or dinner) should be!
White Bean Pesto Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 15 oz. cans white beans, drained and rinsed
- 4 c. chicken broth
- 1 onion chopped
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil
- 2 tsp. minced garlic
- 1 tsp. Italian seasoning
- basil pesto - approx. 1 Tbsp. per bowl
- crushed red pepper flakes optional
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in large saucepan over medium heat. Saute chopped onions and garlic 2-3 minutes.
- Add chicken broth, beans, and Italian seasoning.
- Partially mash beans and heat soup through.
- Serve, topped with pesto and red pepper flakes.
Looking for more warm, flavorful, satisfying recipes?
Want to try making your own pesto? Try this recipe from Simply Recipes
I”m with you Cathy – I hate driving in the snow – and I live in New Hampshire! Should be used to it by now! Growing up in Boston, it’s the norm but I’ve never enjoyed it. I LOVE the recipe for this soup and how easy it sounds – best of all? I have EVERYTHING I need in my refridgerator to make it! So, I’ll be doing just that tomorrow! Thanks again! You have THE BEST ideas!
Thanks, Jess! I usually have these ingredients on hand too….definitely one of the great things about this recipe! Glad to know I’m not the only one who grew up with snow but still can’t stand driving in it. My husband would have me believe I’m just a NUT! 🙂
This looks delicious, Cathy!
Thanks, Mom! You’d like all of it except the red pepper flakes…. I’ll have to make it for you sometime! 🙂
I rather stay home too Cathy and cancel all my plans when it snows. Since I have my lovely kids, I just don’t risk anything. I completely changed and my mindset is different as it was before. We love white bean so much..super healthy! Sounds like a great pair with pesto.Hmm!Have a great week!Xo~
That’s exactly how I feel, Aniko! So glad to know I’m not the only one! We love white beans too….they are so versatile and delicious, especially in soup!
This soup looks amazing. Thanks for the great recipe!
Thanks, Jenny! I love that it’s so easy and healthy, but still flavorful!
This reminds me of a bean soup that my mom used to make, except she never put the pesto in it! Boy do I think that’s a genius idea Cathy!
I don’t even think my mom had heard of pesto until I introduced her to it….! White bean soup is such a classic recipe and I just love the addition of pesto to the delicious base 🙂
This looks fabulous to warm up to on a blustery winter day! I’m the girl who had a truck and would drive through anything if I didn’t have my truck. #stupid
Hmmmmm a truck would be a good idea for me, Julie! Maybe it would give me a little bit of bravery…! 🙂
I hate the snow and would FREAK if I had to drive in it! This soup looks so amazing, though. Pesto is one of my very favorite things ever. I am totally going to try this! Thanks Cathy!
Pesto is one of my favorites too, Jen! Good thing you don’t have to deal with snow too often (or ever!?) I am not so lucky – lol 🙂
Driving in the snow is no fun!! My sister moved away from Minnesota after we had a terrible winter a few years ago and she says she is never moving back here!
My sisters and I always ask one another WHY we still live in Wisconsin. Winter is so long and exhausting! But I couldn’t imagine moving, either….I can’t believe your sister actually did!!
Yep, that’s why as a teacher I LOVE snow but only if it’s a “dumpage” where the entire day is closed. None of this delay crap, am I right?! This soup looks so good, perfect for a winter dinner!
We are lucky – our district doesn’t really do delays. My kiddos ride the bus, though….so I never have to worry about driving to school in the snow. (I just have to trust the bus driver….!)
Ha! I totally had to smile at your mention of station wagons with rear-facing back seats! Didn’t you just looooove sitting back there when you were a kid!?!? Lucky now I have this soup for the snowy I-don’t-want-to-go-out-there Ohio winter days! It’s so insanely easy (and healthy)! Pesto is such a great, flavorful little finish! Pinning!
I live in central New York but I am from California. I basically hibernate from Dec-March. Some of my families favorite meals have come from those times when we were out of almost everything and I had to use my imagination! I read your post through the Jam Hands linkup, and I am going to use up my own white beans this week with your recipe. Thanks for sharing!
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Hi Cathy! This looks so good (and easy!). My family loves anything with pesto on it, so I think I’ll give it a try. Thanks for sharing!
Can you use great northing whit beans? or does it not matter….. This looks great, love it!!!
Hi Annette,
You can definitely substitute Northern White Beans…..my favorite, actually! They would be great in this recipe!
Thanks,
Cathy
This looks good, but i am a bit confused about the crust.
How many servings does this make?