Recipe Redux – White Bean, Tomato & Pesto Soup

By  Ann Dunaway Teh

Fantastic Freezer Meals is the theme of this month’s Recipe Redux. And we certainly believe that freezer meals are fantastic. Having a few meals in the freezer can really make packing a healthy lunch or thawing out dinner on a hectic night so much better. I love having leftovers for this particular reason. But there are times when it is good to plan for freezer meals too. Sometimes, I may double a recipe with half going straight in the freezer or make an extra meal when I have time  specifically to go in the freezer. 

I keep my freezer pretty well stocked for fast, easy meals, and that includes lots of frozen fruits and vegetables too. Freezing produce from the garden is another great way to enjoy the season’s bounty any time of year. I still have strawberries and blueberries in our freezer from what we picked earlier this summer. I did finally use up the last of my freezer stash of last year’s apple butter – thank goodness we’ll be going apple picking again soon. Lesley’s freezer is packed with her amazing  pesto, made with the last of her fresh basil crop, and strawberry jam.   

So I had many ideas swirling in my head on what to make for this month’s theme and fantastic freezer meal. Of course with it being fall, I just love making my own soup and I had just created a new, quick and easy recipe for our October menus. It seemed like a perfect fit as this White Bean, Tomato & Pesto Soup was an instant hit with everyone (and coincidentally uses  Lesley’s pesto).  

I love to keep soup in my freezer in single serving portions – perfect for a quick lunch or dinner. It is something either my husband or I can grab out of the freezer and go (just make sure you label and date it correctly!). We managed to save just enough of this soup to freeze for another time, and I’ll definitely be making more soon just for the freezer since it is so simple to make.

White Bean, Tomato & Pesto Soup

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This is an easy soup recipe that comes together in a flash and is packed with flavor. Perfect for making ahead of time and freezing for later.

• CourseSoups & Stews, Vegetarian & Vegan

Servings

4 to 6 people

Servings 4 to 6 people

White Bean, Tomato & Pesto Soup Yum Votes: 0 Rating: 0 You: Rate this recipe! Print Recipe This is an easy soup recipe that comes together in a flash and is packed with flavor. Perfect for making ahead of time and freezing for later. CourseSoups & Stews, Vegetarian & Vegan Servings 4 to 6 people Servings 4 to 6 people

Ingredients

• 1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 Tbsp minced garlic
• 1 cup onion diced
• 1 cup celery, diced
• 1/2 cup carrot, diced
• 4 cups low sodium vegetable broth
• 1 14.5 oz can crushed tomatoes
• 2 14.5 oz can Great northern beans drained and rinsed
• 1/4 cup pesto
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese grated
• 1/4 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Servings: people

Units:MetricUS Imperial

Instructions

1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the garlic and sauté about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the onion, celery and carrot and cook until vegetables are soft, about 5 minutes.
2. Add the broth, tomatoes, and white beans to the soup. Stir well.
3. Reduce heat to low and let the soup simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. For a creamier texture, remove about a cup of the beans and mash then stir back into the soup.
4. Stir in the pesto and Parmesan. Season with the salt and pepper to taste. Serve with additional Parmesan cheese if desired.

Recipe Notes

Simplify It: Use a 12-ounce bag of frozen mirepoix blend vegetables (onion, carrot and celery) rather than the fresh to make preparing this soup even faster.

Make Ahead: This is a great soup to make on the weekend and reheat during the week.  You can also freeze leftovers or double the recipe for a night you are running short on time!

Nutrition Nugget: Did you know that beans supply not only iron and fiber but also deliver a hefty supply of antioxidants that are important to maintain optimal health?

Nutrition Facts

White Bean, Tomato & Pesto Soup

Amount Per Serving

Calories 339 Calories from Fat 81

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 9g 14%

Saturated Fat 3g 15%

Trans Fat 0g

Cholesterol 9mg 3%

Sodium 689mg 29%

Total Carbohydrates 50g 17%

Dietary Fiber 12g 48%

Sugars 10g

Protein 18g 36%

Vitamin A 63%

Vitamin C 22%

Calcium 26%

Iron 32%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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