Description
A hearty and flavorful vegetarian soup inspired by Tuscan cuisine, featuring tender chickpeas, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach in a creamy broth.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion, finely diced
- 2 carrots, peeled and finely diced
- 2 celery stalks, finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- 2 (15-ounce) cans chickpeas, rinsed and drained (reserve 1/4 cup for blending)
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, oil-packed, drained and chopped
- 1/2 cup full-fat coconut milk or heavy cream
- 5 ounces fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- 1. Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 8-10 minutes.
- 2. Stir in minced garlic, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- 3. Pour in vegetable broth. Add rinsed chickpeas (reserving some) and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Bring to a simmer.
- 4. Carefully ladle about 1.5 cups of soup (including chickpeas and broth) into a blender. Blend until smooth and creamy. Alternatively, use an immersion blender in the pot or mash some chickpeas against the side.
- 5. Pour the blended mixture back into the pot. Stir in coconut milk or heavy cream and return to a gentle simmer.
- 6. Add chopped spinach and stir until wilted, about 2-3 minutes.
- 7. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Adjust seasonings as needed. Serve hot, garnished as desired.
Notes
Allow soup to cool completely before storing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For freezing, cool completely, portion into freezer-safe containers, and store for up to 3 months. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soups
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 15g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 12g
- Protein: 12g