Description
This hearty and comforting Bean Stew recipe is packed with tender vegetables, creamy white beans, and a rich tomato base seasoned with Italian herbs. Perfect for a cozy meal, it is easy to prepare and simmered gently to meld all the flavors. Ideal as a nutritious vegetarian main dish, served with fresh parsley and crusty bread.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 onion, diced
- 3 whole carrots, peeled and chopped
- 2 ribs celery, diced
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- 1 large potato, peeled and chopped
- fresh parsley for garnish
Seasonings and Liquids
- 3 Tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 1/2 Tablespoons dried Italian seasoning
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes
Beans
- 3 (15 ounce) cans white beans, drained and rinsed
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: In a large pot over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil. Add the diced onions, chopped carrots, and diced celery. Cook and stir these vegetables for about 8 minutes until they become softened and fragrant.
- Add Seasonings: Stir in the minced garlic, tomato paste, dried Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and black pepper. Continue stirring and cook for 1 minute to allow the spices and tomato paste to develop their flavors.
- Add Liquids and Beans: Pour in the vegetable broth and the canned diced tomatoes with their liquid. Add the chopped potatoes and the drained and rinsed white beans. Stir everything together thoroughly.
- Simmer the Stew: Cover the pot with a lid and reduce the heat to low to maintain a gentle simmer. Let the stew cook for 20 minutes, allowing the potatoes to become tender and the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Serve: Remove from heat. Garnish the stew with fresh parsley and serve warm, ideally accompanied by a side of crusty French bread for dipping.
Notes
- You can use cannellini or great northern beans as white bean options.
- For a thicker stew, mash a few beans against the side of the pot before serving.
- Adjust seasoning to taste before serving, adding more salt or pepper if desired.
- For added protein, you may include cooked sausage or bacon if not vegetarian.
- This stew keeps well and can be refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1 1/2 cups)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 670mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 9g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
